‘Ruinous, dangerous’ condition: 4 buildings near Delhi collapse site get notices

The notice was issued under Section 349 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, which allows the civic body to order people to leave a building if it is considered unsafe.

MCD officials said the provision is invoked only after a survey finds a building dangerous. The property is then demolished by the owner itself or by the MCD at the cost of the owner.

The civic body has suspended five officials, including the South Zone Deputy Commissioner. They have stated that the five-storey building, which housed a private hostel, was not deemed dangerous in their surveys by the zonal commissioners, but the owner was carrying out work in the basement, which allegedly may have led to the collapse.

MCD Mayor Pravesh Wahi said, “… A major decision has been taken by us so that no negligence is tolerated anywhere in Delhi. Although a magisterial inquiry has been ordered, they [the 5 officials] have been suspended in the meantime. Our Chief Minister and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi are fully committed to ensuring that we do not let any loss of life or property occur. In the future, if any building of more than four storeys is constructed and negligence is found, that building will be sealed immediately. Along with that, strict action, in addition to suspension, will be taken against the officer responsible.”

The Mayor further added that the CM has directed the concerned authorities to formulate necessary new guidelines. He stated that under the proposed guidelines, action is being initiated towards making it mandatory for property owners who undertake any kind of commercial activity in their buildings to submit a structural audit report, with the objective of ensuring structural safety.

MCD has started sealing drives across the South Zone, issuing four Show Cause Notices and a Demolition Order in the Said-ul- Ajaib ward.