In response to the recent collapse of a building in Satya Niketan, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has conducted a safety survey of 1,252 paying guest (PG) buildings. This assessment took place from September 7 to 9, according to officials. The initiative aims to ensure the safety and structural integrity of such accommodations throughout the city.
MCD’s demolition drive following incident
HT reported on Tuesday night that MCD officials were planning a large-scale survey of PG facilities in the cities and the number of occupants staying there. The survey of PG buildings will continue on Thursday, even as the civic body seeks to further intensify action against unauthorised construction, misuse of properties and dangerous structures. Three buildings were found to be dangerous, with demolition of one of them already underway. Several such properties have already been identified for major action. Days after the Satya Niketan tragedy, civic officials also carried out a large-scale demolition drive against unauthorised and unsafe buildings, in separate action. Among these, a major demolition exercise was undertaken in Najafgarh, and action was also taken against another four-storey building in Shahdara North. Nine sealing actions were also carried out, with two of them targeting large godowns in Karol Bagh. A hotel in West Zone was also sealed. The MCD intensified action against unauthorised construction and misuse of premises after recent incidents in Saket and Malviya Nagar.
Of the buildings surveyed, 1,201 were found to be visibly safe, while 39 require minor repairs and nine need major repairs. The civic body has separately identified 26 framed structures above G+4 floors on Wednesday for close monitoring as they may be vulnerable. The drive on Tuesday involved demolitions of 35 buildings across 12 MCD zones, according to an earlier HT report. Demolitions were also carried out in Rohini (6), Narela (3), Civil Lines (3), Shahdara North (6), among others. The civic body had, between June 1 and September 3, 2026, carried out demolition at 983 properties, sealed 464 properties, issued 1,516 show-cause notices for unauthorised construction and 708 sealing show-cause notices. It had issued 726 demolition orders. MCD also conducted a three-month survey of residential areas to identify commercial misuse of residential premises, surveying around 300,000 properties across 404 colonies and 168 wards. Over 8,000cases of commercial activity were identified in residential areas during the survey, drawing action by the civic body under the Master Plan for Delhi. Around 30-40 properties were sealed, while action against several others is at various stages.
