A significant crack has been discovered in a four-storey paying-guest accommodation located in Chirag Delhi, prompting a late-night evacuation of students. The crack extends from the main gate to the upper floors of the building, raising safety concerns. Authorities acted swiftly to relocate residents as a precautionary measure, ensuring their safety amidst fears of structural instability.
“Last night, a large crack was noticed in a building in Chirag Delhi. The Delhi government is working on a law to regulate paying-guest accommodations. The plan includes mandatory licences, police and civic clearances, unique registration numbers and a government portal listing verified PGs. The proposed rules also include CCTV cameras at entrances and common areas, visitor registers, security guards for larger PGs and wardens who can reach the accommodation during emergencies. The government is also considering measures on rents, security deposits and eviction notices. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a crackdown on illegal construction, with the MCD carrying out demolition drives and intensifying inspections of PGs and hostels. The action follows the Satya Niketan collapse, where questions have been raised over construction and building permissions. Preliminary reports have pointed to structural vulnerabilities, ongoing work and possible unauthorised construction as areas of investigation.
As a precautionary measure, the local administration evacuated the children from the premises,” Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said. Male students were accommodated at Bhagat Singh College, while female students were shifted to the Vocational College, Sood said. “The administration assured the students that they would be helped in recovering their belongings and security deposits,” he said. “We do not want to get drawn into controversies, but I must point out that Saurabh Bharadwaj, who is now going around demanding accountability, was the MLA from this area for 10 years,” he said.
