MCD Identifies Seven Dangerous Buildings In Karol Bagh As Pre-Monsoon Survey Lags
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has missed its June 15 deadline to complete its annual pre-monsoon safety survey, leaving nearly half a million properties uninspected across the city. According to an MCD report, the civic body has identified seven dangerous buildings in the Karol Bagh zone alone, which represents the highest number of unsafe structures found in any single zone during the ongoing drive.
Citywide, the MCD targeted 3,255,909 properties for inspection this year. However, a progress report dated June 25 revealed that only 2,784,286 buildings—approximately 85.5% of the target—had been surveyed. This delay has sparked concerns as Delhi prepares for the monsoon season, which historically brings heavy rains, waterlogging, and structural collapses.
Out of the nearly 2.8 million structures inspected so far, officials have flagged only 19 as "dangerous" and 74 as being in a "repairable state." Aside from the seven structures in Karol Bagh, the remaining dangerous buildings include four in City-Sadar Paharganj, two in Najafgarh, and one in the South zone. The MCD has already sealed one unsafe building in the South zone, demolished some structures, and directed other owners to perform repairs.
The survey's slow progress comes despite recent fatal building collapses in the capital. A collapse in Saidulajab on May 30 killed six people, followed by a four-storey building collapse in Karawal Nagar on June 3, and a house collapse in Malka Ganj Sabzi Mandi on June 25.
MCD officials and experts have raised doubts about the effectiveness of the survey, which relies almost entirely on visual inspections. Inspectors look for obvious external signs of distress, such as large cracks or leaning walls, rather than performing detailed structural assessments.
An MCD official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, explained that visual surveys cannot identify internal structural weaknesses, and that more than 60% of Delhi's housing stock has been built without adhering to building bylaws and codes.
Under Sections 348 and 349 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, owners of identified unsafe structures are given one week to repair or demolish them. However, officials noted that residents often obtain court stays, which delays enforcement.
