New Delhi, September 9: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to intensify action against illegal constructions across the capital following the deadly collapse of a building in Satya Niketan near Delhi University’s South Campus.
Demolition and inspection drives are expected to be carried out in several parts of the city on Wednesday. The Chief Minister has instructed senior MCD officials to remain present on the ground and personally oversee the action, according to a statement issued by the Delhi government.
The crackdown will also cover paying guest (PG) accommodations and hostels, with authorities ordered to conduct detailed inspections and take action wherever unauthorised construction is detected.
Officials have further been asked to examine building records to determine when the alleged illegal structures were constructed and which authority or administration had jurisdiction over the areas at the time. The exercise is aimed not only at identifying violations of building norms but also at establishing how such constructions were permitted to come up.
The Delhi government said the move is part of a broader push for stricter enforcement of building regulations and greater accountability among civic authorities. Senior MCD officials have been directed to closely monitor field-level operations and ensure that all action is carried out in accordance with the law.
Further details regarding the areas where demolition and inspection drives are being conducted are expected as civic authorities begin the exercise.
The directions come in the wake of the tragic collapse of a five-storeyed building in Satya Niketan, which was being used as a paying guest accommodation. Seven people were killed and several others were injured in the incident.
Police on Monday arrested the property owner, Urmila Gupta, 75, her husband Hariram Gupta, 81, and their son Mahesh Gupta, 52, in connection with the collapse. Labour contractor Sanoj was also apprehended in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, and brought in for questioning, police said.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court has issued notices and sought responses from the Union Government, the Delhi Government and Delhi University on a public interest litigation seeking adequate hostel facilities for students studying in colleges run by or affiliated with the university.
