Delhi Seals 523 Non-Compliant Buildings After Fatal Malviya Nagar Fire
Civic agencies across Delhi have sealed a total of 523 buildings for violating fire safety norms and building by-laws, an official confirmed on Tuesday. The action follows an extensive audit launched after a fatal fire broke out on June 3 at the Flourish Stay bed-and-breakfast facility in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar, which claimed the lives of 23 people.
Following the Malviya Nagar tragedy, authorities constituted 13 district-level and 39 subdivision-level committees to conduct a comprehensive citywide survey targeting illegal buildings and establishments. Out of 680 buildings inspected as of Tuesday, official teams determined that 157 were exempt from obtaining a fire no-objection certificate (NOC) under Rule 27 of the Delhi Fire Service Rules, 2010, and the Unified Building Bye Laws for Delhi, 2016.
For the remaining non-exempt structures, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) issued formal notices to the property owners, leading to the sealing of the properties by civic authorities. Inspections revealed that a majority of the properties inspected were mixed-occupancy buildings, where residential premises were being utilised to run commercial, educational, or other non-residential activities.
The DFS and civic authorities are currently scrutinising all submitted documents, including sanctioned building plans and fire-safety approvals provided by the owners of the 523 sealed establishments, as part of preparations for further legal action. Inspection teams are actively verifying NOCs and other necessary clearances while evaluating physical structures against existing building by-laws to ensure strict compliance with fire safety and occupancy regulations.
Under Delhi's regulatory framework, buildings covered by Rule 27 must obtain DFS approval at two separate stages. Prior to construction, officials examine building plans to issue initial fire safety recommendations. After construction concludes, inspectors conduct an on-site evaluation of the installed fire- and life-safety measures before issuing a final certificate permitting occupancy. This mandatory NOC requirement applies to high-rise and high-risk buildings, as well as underground structures across the city.
