Delhi Government enforces zero-tolerance policy against illegal construction; large-scale demolition and sealing drive underway

A large-scale campaign against illegal constructions is currently underway in the national capital, with various agencies taking strict and comprehensive action as part of the drive. The enforcement includes demolition of illegal structures, sealing operations, and issuance of show-cause notices on a significant scale.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the Delhi government is following a “zero-tolerance” policy toward unauthorized constructions, encroachments, violations of fire safety norms, and any activities that pose a threat to the lives and property of citizens.

Advertisement

Gupta said that her government is not only taking action but is also working to develop a permanent system to effectively curb such dangerous and illegal constructions in the future. According to the Chief Minister, the government is seriously exploring the possibility of introducing a third-party insurance system for buildings.

She added that the Revenue Department, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and other concerned agencies are conducting large-scale enforcement drives across various parts of the capital.

She informed that the Revenue Department examined 124 properties and took action wherever violations were found. According to the department, notices were issued to violators after inspections at 10 sites in North District. Similarly, notices were issued after inspections at 10 sites in East District, 21 in West District, 13 in South-West District, and 10 in Central (North) District.

During inspections of 30 sites in the South District, 11 premises were sealed and show-cause notices were issued in 19 cases.

In the North-West District, three unauthorized buildings were demolished for violating building bylaws. Sealing notices were issued in the New Delhi District, while closure notices were issued in the Central District.

In Old Delhi District, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department was found to be in place; however, since the building approval plan was not available, the matter was referred to the MCD for necessary action.

Similarly, over the past six days, the MCD carried out demolition action on 94 properties and sealed 114 properties.

Additionally, the DDA has been directed to strengthen its enforcement mechanism against encroachments and illegal constructions. The government aims to ensure that no construction, commercial activity, or public utility arrangement operates in Delhi that poses a threat to human life and property.

A high-level meeting was held on Friday under the chairmanship of the DDA Vice-Chairman, where a detailed discussion took place on strengthening the enforcement mechanism for preventing and removing encroachments and unauthorized constructions in areas under DDA jurisdiction.

During the meeting, the status of encroachments on DDA land, unauthorized constructions in development areas, and the current enforcement system were reviewed.

The Building Department has been directed to conduct a special drive to identify buildings where major violations have been found compared to approved building plans.

It has also been decided that if serious violations of approved building plans are found in any building, strict action will be taken immediately. This may include action against the structure as per rules, removal of the concerned architect from the panel, and blacklisting.

The meeting also held detailed discussions on encroachments and unauthorized constructions on DDA land within land pooling areas and development zones notified under the Delhi Development Act, 1957.

In this regard, the DDA’s Flying Squad and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been asked to intensify efforts to identify and remove such encroachments under the existing enforcement framework.