Delhi Proposes Periodic Safety Audits for DDA Buildings Over 50 Years Old
After a deadly building collapse, the Centre proposes regular safety audits for ageing DDA structures in Delhi, with intervals of 3, 5, and 10 years.
In the wake of a fatal building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan area, the central government is considering a structured safety audit regime for older Delhi Development Authority (DDA) properties. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Monday that the ministry is evaluating a plan to conduct periodic safety checks on all DDA buildings that are over 50 years old.
The proposal suggests that these ageing structures could be inspected at intervals of ten, five, and three years. The aim, according to the minister, is to identify structural vulnerabilities before they escalate into serious hazards. This marks a shift from the current practice of inspecting buildings only after a safety concern is reported.
Khattar expressed deep sorrow over the collapse of a five-storey building in Satya Niketan on Sunday, which killed seven people and trapped several others. The structure, used as a paying guest accommodation for students near Delhi University's South Campus, was undergoing basement repair work at the time. While water accumulation in the basement and the ongoing repairs are suspected factors, the exact cause remains under investigation. Twelve people were rescued in an operation that stretched for hours.
The minister also urged the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to take proactive measures at its level to prevent similar incidents. The MCD has already suspended five officials, including the South Zone deputy commissioner, in connection with the collapse, and the building's owner was arrested in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan.
Beyond the immediate response, Khattar outlined a long-term vision for new DDA constructions. Under this plan, future buildings would undergo their first safety audit after completing 50 years. Additionally, the ministry is considering a redevelopment fund, modelled on annual maintenance funds, to which stakeholders would contribute. This corpus could be used to plan reconstruction in advance, ensuring that buildings are replaced before they become dangerously dilapidated.
The Satya Niketan tragedy has highlighted the precarious state of older buildings in the capital, particularly those serving as student hostels and PGs. The government now faces the immediate challenge of determining how swiftly existing old structures can be assessed and what enforcement measures will follow if audits reveal structural risks.