Fire NOC, building plan: Checklist part of MCD crackdown after Satya Niketan crash

The MCD announced an intensive audit of PG hostels across Delhi, directing field engineers to verify whether each building has a sanctioned plan, fire‑NOC, occupancy certificates and conforms to the Master Plan. The drive follows the September 6 collapse of a PG building in Satya Niketan, Southwest Delhi, which resulted in seven fatalities and intensified scrutiny of illegal constructions.

As of September 10, survey teams had inspected roughly 1,350 premises, flagging three visibly dangerous buildings in the South Zone that housed 69 residents. The audit also uncovered 39 hostels needing minor repairs for 664 occupants and nine requiring major repairs for 140 people. In addition, 90 framed structures exceeding four floors above ground were earmarked for close monitoring, with the highest concentration—62 buildings—located in Shahdara South. The MCD suspended five officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of the South Zone, for alleged lapses in oversight.

The crackdown comes amid longstanding concerns from students and local residents about the proliferation of unapproved PG accommodations. Earlier demolition and sealing actions in areas such as Chandni Chowk, Laxmi Nagar, Bijwasan and Nehru Vihar underscore the civic body’s effort to enforce building codes and prevent further tragedies. Officials say the findings will guide future enforcement and ensure that occupancy and safety standards are uniformly applied across the capital.