After Satya Niketan Collapse, MCD Plans PG Survey, Intensifies Crackdown on Unsafe Buildings

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is planning a large-scale survey of paying guest (PG) accommodations and the number of people living in them to identify unsafe facilities, officials aware of the development said. The move comes after a five-storey PG building collapsed in Satya Niketan on Sunday, killing at least seven people, including five students.

Two days after the tragedy, the civic body carried out a major demolition drive against unauthorised and unsafe structures across the city. The action came a day after the MCD suspended five officials, including a deputy commissioner, over the incident.

Tuesday’s drive resulted in 35 demolitions across 12 MCD zones. A major operation was conducted in Najafgarh, while another targeted a four-storey building in Shahdara North. Rohini, Narela, Civil Lines and other areas also witnessed demolition action.

The civic body also carried out nine sealing operations, including against two large godowns in Karol Bagh and a hotel in the West Zone.

The MCD plans to intensify its crackdown on unauthorised construction, property misuse and dangerous structures, with several properties already identified for further action.

Legal hurdles

Officials said legal provisions pose a major challenge in identifying and acting against unauthorised structures.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2011, which has been amended several times, protects certain forms of unauthorised development—including illegal construction, property misuse and encroachments—from punitive action until December 31, 2026.

Such punitive measures can include demolition, sealing or eviction from the premises, officials said.

MCD’s wider crackdown

The Satya Niketan building collapse comes amid an intensified MCD campaign against unauthorised construction and commercial misuse of residential properties, following recent incidents in Saket and Malviya Nagar.

Between June 1 and September 3, 2026, the civic body demolished 983 properties, sealed 464, issued 1,516 show-cause notices for unauthorised construction and 708 sealing notices, and passed 726 demolition orders.

The MCD has also completed a three-month survey of residential areas to identify properties being used commercially. Around 300,000 properties across 404 colonies and 168 wards were surveyed.

The exercise identified more than 8,000 cases of commercial activity in residential areas. The civic body has initiated action against activities deemed impermissible under the Master Plan for Delhi. Around 30–40 properties have already been sealed, while action against several others is underway.