MCD plans a fresh survey of Delhi's dilapidated buildings

MCD plans a fresh survey of Delhi’s dilapidated buildings

NEW DELHI: The MCD plans to resurvey buildings in vulnerable areas, officials said on Monday. “In view of the unprecedented rainfall in Delhi, all engineering staff have been asked to keep vigil on
buildings/structures in their respective zones and carry surveys wherever required,” an official said. They
stated that a survey was done prior to the monsoon and 57 buildings were found to be in dangerous
condition. “Of the 30,74,051 houses targeted for visits, teams from the building and maintenance department, who
surveyed till July 6, said 292 houses needed repairs. After issuing the notices under the DMC Act, 46 people have got their properties repaired,” an official report said.

“Families have been issued an advisory to get damaged portions demolished immediately… if action is not
taken in a time-bound manner, then the MCD can… recover demolition charges from the owner,” the
official said.
On Monday, mayor Shelly Oberoi said the MCD had set up a control room to help people in distress
because of the heavy rain. “I inspected the operation of the facility in the evening,” she said. The mayor
added that action will be taken within two hours on complaints coming to the control room. People should
complain on the number 155305, she said.
Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor, meanwhile, wrote to MCD commissioner Gyanesh
Bharti, demanding an intensive survey of dilapidated buildings.

“In view of the raging monsoon, the MCD… should shift people living in dangerous/unsafe structures to
safer places,” Kapoor said.
To this, officials said that they are giving notices after surveying a certain number of buildings every
week. The MCD received nine complaints of waterlogging and six regarding uprooted trees on Monday.
NDMC teams, meanwhile, visited areas where residents had complained about waterlogging. NDMC vice-chairman Satish Upadhyay said most areas have been cleared. Till evening, the council had received one complaint of waterlogging from Kalibari Marg and seven complaints regarding fallen trees from Kalavati Saran Hospital, Jantar Mantar Road, 30 January Marg, Tolstoy’s Marg, Atul Grove Lane, Sardar Patel Marg and Gyarah Murti Marg. Areas such as Civil Lines and South Extension II also saw waterlogging. The MCD has completed desilting of drains in its jurisdiction, it said. “In view of the rainy season, the MCD has made arrangements by deploying 480 portable pumps to vulnerable spots. It has directed all zonal authorities to be vigilant towards complaints of waterlogging and uprooted tress and resolve the complaints at the earliest,” an official said.