Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday inspected the site of the building collapse in Satya Niketan, where rescue operations are underway.
Interacting with the media, she said preliminary findings suggest that water accumulation in the basement, coupled with repair work on the ageing building, led to its collapse. The incident left six people dead and six others injured.
The chief minister also announced that all dangerous buildings in the city would undergo structural audits. She said no unsafe structure would be ignored and appropriate action would be taken against buildings found to pose a risk.
Speaking to reporters, Gupta said, “The government, in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation, is formulating a policy mandating that any building intended for public use—whether a PG, nursing home, school, or any other facility—must undergo periodic structural audits and safety certifications; otherwise, no public activity will be permitted there.”
Following the incident, an FIR has been registered against the building owner, and strict action will be taken against officials found guilty of negligence or oversight.
The chief minister also instructed authorities to immediately seal buildings having a fifth floor and conduct intensive inspections of nearby PG accommodations and other buildings.
She added that students evacuated from the affected area had been provided accommodation and that the government was taking care of their needs and well-being. The government was also in direct contact with the parents of those affected, she said.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has issued a demolition order under Section 348 of the DMC Act for House Number 13 in Satya Niketan, declaring the property dangerous and ruinous.
As per the notice issued on September 6, the owner or occupier has been directed to demolish the property within three days of receiving the order.
The MCD warned that if the order is not complied with, it will carry out the demolition and recover the expenses incurred as arrears of property tax. the order.The MCD warned that if the order is not complied with, it will carry out the demolition and recover the expenses incurred as arrears of property tax.