look news india
After the recent tragic building accident in the Satya Niketan area adjacent to the posh South Campus of the national capital Delhi, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has come into full action. After the loss of life and property due to excavation of basement and collapse of dangerous construction being erected illegally, the corporation administration has started a large-scale demolition drive by adopting a policy of zero tolerance against unauthorized constructions across the city.
Joint teams of MCD Building Department and Vigilance Wing took swift action in various areas of South Zone, Najafgarh, Karol Bagh and West Zone in the presence of heavy police force. According to the official data released by the corporation, during this mega-campaign, 41 illegal buildings were completely demolished with bulldozers and hammers, while 61 other properties being built in blatant violation of rules have been sealed with immediate effect.
Since Satya Niketan area is the major residential and PG hub for the students of South Campus of Delhi University, there was a rush by builders to construct 4 to 5 storey buildings in the narrow streets by flouting the norms.
The focus of MCD’s latest crackdown was on properties where:
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The construction work was going on without a sanctioned building plan.
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There was blatant violation of the prescribed floor area ratio (FAR) and height limits.
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Basements were being dug in a dangerous manner in narrow streets without retaining walls or safety standards.
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Heavy commercial activities and unauthorized PGs were being operated illegally on residential plots.
The corporation’s bulldozers cut and demolished roofs, additional floors, illegal balconies and unauthorized pillars so that these buildings could not be used again.
When the dilapidated building was being renovated and illegally expanded in Satya Niketan, the entire structure collapsed, resulting in the death of many workers. Taking a lesson from this tragedy, MCD has now formed a special ‘Structural Safety Cell’.
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Teams of engineers of the corporation are going from street to street to check the load-bearing pillars and structural stability of the old buildings.
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Buildings which are unfit for habitation or have been overloaded with illegal floors are being declared ‘dangerous’ and eviction notices are being pasted.
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Along with putting the official seal of the corporation on the main gates of the 61 sealed properties, letters have also been sent to the local police stations so that no builder can restart the work by breaking the seal.
Senior MCD officials have clarified that this action is not just a one-day formality, but a sustained campaign against the ‘builder mafia’ thriving in unauthorized colonies and urban villages.
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Instructions for disconnecting electricity and water: Official letters have been sent to the Discoms (BSES/TPDDL) and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to disconnect electricity and water connections of all the 41 and 61 properties that were sealed and demolished.
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Departmental inquiry on local engineers: The corporation administration is also investigating why the Junior Engineer (JE) and Assistant Engineer (AE) of the concerned ward did not take challan or sealing action in time when the foundations of these buildings were being dug and bricks were being laid. Suspension and preparation of departmental charge sheet is also being done against the field staff found guilty.
MCD has appealed to the citizens and students of Delhi to check the valid permission and safety standards of any house or PG before shifting to it, and to immediately lodge a complaint about any illegal or dangerous construction going on around them on the corporation’s 311 mobile app or helpline.