MCD cracks down on illegal buildings, fire safety violations after inspections

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Tuesday demolished 16 properties and sealed 29 establishments as part of its ongoing crackdown against illegal constructions and buildings over bye-law violations.  

The civic body also issued show-cause notices to 21 unauthorised constructions, 57 sealing show-cause notices, and 22 demolition orders during the day. According to the Revenue Department’s daily inspection report, authorities inspected 452 sites across Delhi between June 5 and June 9. On June 9 alone, inspections were carried out in multiple districts, including West, South, North East, South West, East, and Central Delhi. Action taken included show cause notices, restraining orders, sealing of buildings, demolitions, and eviction notices.

The West district recorded the highest number of inspections with 80 sites visited, followed by the South district with 65 and the North district with 45. In the South district, officials issued four show cause notices, sealed one property, and initiated demolition action at another site.

Inspection reports from Patel Nagar in the Central district identified several violations in hotels and commercial establishments. At Deventure Hotel in West Patel Nagar, officials found missing fire safety display boards, unauthorised rooms built on top floor beyond sanctioned plan.

A show-cause notice was issued. At Hotel Dev Palace in the same area, authorities found that the building had 20 rooms despite approval for only 18 rooms. Officials also reported malfunctioning fire alarms, absence of emergency signage, and missing public address systems.

In the Karol Bagh subdivision, officials inspected the Novotel hotel in Paharganj and found several deficiencies despite the property having a fire NOC. The inspection team noted that emergency buttons installed near the swimming pool and lifts were either not functioning properly or failed to receive responses from hotel staff. Authorities also observed that the hotel had not prepared a Disaster Management plan. Notice was issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

In the Old Delhi district, authorities sealed and punctured a six-storey illegal structure in Gajmir Khan after finding construction beyond permissible height limits. Another G+6 building in Jogiwara, Chandni Chowk, was served a show cause notice for similar violations.

The North East district witnessed extensive action against hotels, banquet halls, and commercial units operating without fire safety clearance. Inspection teams issued notices to several Oyo hotels, guest houses, and banquet halls in Yamuna Vihar, Karawal Nagar, Shahdara, and Gokalpur. One commercial establishment in Khajoori Pusta allegedly refused to disclose its identity and declined to accept the notice served by officials.

In the South West district, officials inspected multiple guest houses and hotels in Dwarka, Nangli, and Mahipalpur. Several premises were found locked during inspection, while some hotel operators had reportedly removed signboards and suspended operations. Authorities also demolished excess structures in Nanakheri and issued restraining orders against illegal land use changes in villages, including Jharoda Kalan, Surakhpur, and Haibatpura.

North district authorities identified multiple illegal G+5 constructions in Wazirabad where builders lacked sanctioned plans, fire NOCs, and completion certificates. Notices under Section 152 of BNSS, 2023, were issued against several properties.

The inspection drive forms part of Delhi’s broader crackdown on unsafe buildings, unauthorized construction, and fire safety violations following recent incidents that raised concerns about civic safety standards across the city.