Delhi PG safety gaps: Only 31 of 2,453 surveyed have fire NOC, MCD data shows

A survey of 2,453 paying guest (PG) accommodations across Delhi has found major gaps in building and fire-safety compliance, with only 31 properties having a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Delhi Fire Service, according to MCD data reported by The Indian Express.

Of the 2,453 PG buildings the survey also found that only 726 PG buildings had sanctioned building plans, while just eight had structural stability certificates. 

The exercise was carried out across all 12 zones of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) after the Delhi High Court questioned the civic body following the September 6 collapse of a five-storey boys' hostel in Satya Niketan, which left seven people dead.

Besides building plans and fire NOCs, the MCD survey examined structural stability documents, occupancy certificates (OCC), layout plans and compliance with the Master Plan for Delhi (MPD).

Civil Lines, which includes Delhi University's North Campus, has the highest number of PG properties among the areas highlighted in the survey, with 608 accommodations. Of these, 364 had sanctioned building plans, 28 had fire NOCs and 27 had regularisation approvals. None had a structural stability certificate.

In Keshav Puram, 410 PG properties were surveyed. Only 54 had sanctioned building plans, while two had fire NOCs and two had structural stability certificates. None had an occupancy certificate, the report said.

The south zone, covering areas around Delhi University's South Campus, IIT Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, showed even wider gaps. None of the 390 PG properties surveyed had a Delhi Fire Service clearance, structural stability certificate, sanctioned building plan or occupancy certificate. The survey also found that none of these properties was recorded as having PG activity permissible under the Master Plan, The Indian Express reported.

The MCD also checked whether PG buildings had the required layout plans. According to civic body rules, such plans must comply with the Master Plan for Delhi as well as building bye-laws. A fire NOC indicates that a building meets the prescribed fire-safety requirements for its occupancy.

The Delhi High Court had set September 13 as the deadline for the survey. That deadline ended on Sunday, but MCD officials cited by The Indian Express said the exercise would continue for at least one more day before being completed.