Satya Niketan building collapse: MCD crackdown begins across Delhi; 24 properties demolished, 7 sealed

NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has demolished 24 properties and sealed seven illegal structures across the capital following the building collapse in south Delhi’s Satya Niketan that killed seven people.According to the MCD data, quoted by news agency PTI, the civic body stepped up its enforcement drive against unauthorised construction, carrying out demolition action against 17 properties and sealing five on Tuesday alone. It also issued nine show-cause notices for unauthorised construction, two notices for sealing and 15 demolition orders, the report said.On Monday, the MCD had demolished seven properties, sealed two and issued 26 show-cause notices for unauthorised construction, four notices for sealing and 12 demolition orders.The action follows the collapse of a five-storey building in Satya Niketan on Sunday, which killed at least seven people and injured several others. The incident brought renewed scrutiny of unauthorised construction and civic enforcement in the capital.Additionally, the MCD on Monday suspended South Zone deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar and four engineers pending disciplinary proceedings.According to MCD officials, enforcement action has been carried out across all 12 zones, including Laxmi Nagar, Vishwas Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh, Tilak Nagar, Karam Pura, Karol Bagh, Ramesh Nagar, Mansarovar Garden, Chandni Chowk and Nehru Vihar. Several of these areas have substantial student populations.The drive followed a meeting between Delhi lieutenant governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and senior government and MCD officials. Authorities were directed to conduct inspections in paying guest (PG) accommodation hubs, particularly buildings suspected of violating height and floor restrictions.Sandhu also directed the chief secretary to ensure structural audits of all buildings in PG hubs within a week.Between September 1 and 8, the MCD demolished 48 properties and sealed 15, besides issuing 90 show-cause notices for unauthorised construction, 124 notices for sealing and 66 demolition orders.From June 1 to September 8, the civic body demolished 1,007 properties and sealed 471 others. It also issued 1,551 show-cause notices for unauthorised construction, 714 notices for sealing and 753 demolition orders.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.