Days after a devastating fire at Flourish Stay bed and breakfast (B&B) facility in Hauz Rani claimed 21 lives, the Delhi Government on Saturday said civic and enforcement agencies had intensified a citywide crackdown on unauthorised constructions, building bylaw violations and unsafe commercial establishments, with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) demolishing 94 properties and sealing 114 others since June 1.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government was pursuing a “zero-tolerance” policy against illegal constructions, encroachments and fire-safety violations, adding that a permanent mechanism was being developed to prevent unsafe structures from operating in the Capital.
According to the government, the Revenue Department inspected 124 properties across Delhi and initiated action wherever violations were detected. Notices were issued after inspections at 10 sites in North district, 10 in East district, 21 in West district, 13 in South-West district and 10 in Central (North) district. In South district, inspections were carried out at 30 sites, resulting in the sealing of 11 premises and issuance of 19 show-cause notices. In North-West district, three unauthorised buildings were demolished for violating building bylaws. Sealing notices were issued in New Delhi district, while closure notices were served in Central district. In Old Delhi district, a property was referred to the MCD after officials found a fire NOC, but no sanctioned building plan. No violations were detected during inspections in South-East district.
The MCD said it had stepped up demolition and sealing operations across all its zones following directions from the Delhi Government. On Saturday alone, the civic body demolished 12 properties and sealed 79 others. Officials said MCD teams, assisted by the Delhi Police, used bulldozers and manpower to remove unauthorised structures and seal premises found violating building regulations.
Focus has been laid on South Delhi localities, including Hauz Rani, Said-ul-Azaib, Khirki Extension, Savitri Nagar, Khanpur and Gautam Nagar. On Saturday, the South Zone carried out 21 enforcement actions, including demolition of three properties and sealing of 18 others. Since June 1, a total of 41 demolition and sealing actions have been undertaken in these areas.
Officials said the drive targeted unauthorised constructions, misuse of residential premises as bed and breakfast establishments without requisite permissions and safety measures, and unlawful commercial activities such as libraries operating from basements.
The civic body also issued 158 notices, sealing notices and demolition orders against property owners for unauthorised construction and misuse of premises. It has simultaneously launched a survey to identify illegal residential and commercial properties violating building by-laws across the city.
In a parallel move, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has launched a special campaign to identify buildings with major deviations from sanctioned plans. At a review meeting on Friday, DDA officials were directed to intensify enforcement, while architects found responsible for serious violations could face blacklisting and removal from the authority’s panel.
The government is also examining long-term measures to strengthen compliance and public safety. Gupta said officials had been asked to explore a third-party insurance framework for buildings, guest houses, nursing homes and other public-use establishments. Insurance coverage, she said, would be linked to compliance with structural and safety norms.
The Chief Minister further announced plans for a digital tracking system to make response mechanism of the Delhi Fire Services more transparent.
The enforcement drive follows heightened scrutiny of illegal constructions and safety violations after the June 3 fire at a BnB in Hauz Rani, one of the deadliest fire incidents in Delhi in recent years.
