Illegal constructions under scanner: MCD issues 8 notices in Saket area

New Delhi: Days after the Saidulajab building collapse, MCD has issued notices on eight properties in the Qila Rai Pithora-Saket area and is preparing a draft outlining the action required against 81 identified buildings found to be in violation of building norms.Officials said the exercise will be expanded to other parts of the city.About the eight properties facing the notices, south zone deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar told TOI: .“The next step will be the sealing of the properties, followed by demolition. Property owners are being given time according to legal provisions, including an opportunity to approach the court if they wish. Once the notice period is over, action will be taken.”Regarding the 81 properties, officials are preparing reports to determine the nature of the violations and the action required in each case, Kumar added.“The first priority is to conduct a joint survey with Delhi Development Authority (DDA). We will coordinate with DDA and carry out the survey immediately so that action can be taken in compliance with court directions. Once this exercise is completed, we will examine other areas,” he said.On the court’s direction, DDA and MCD were asked to conduct a survey and take appropriate action.DDA has not responded to queries by this publication till the filing of this report.MCD said that it responded immediately after receiving information about the building collapse on May 30.The civic body said in a statement that after the south zone control room got information about the collapse at 7.55 pm, engineers and other staff members were immediately deputed to the site. Trucks and JCBs were dispatched without delay. The MCD team reached the site at 8.30 pm but was initially denied entry as the area had been cordoned off by Delhi Police, it said.The collapsed structure, across 300 square metres, had a basement, ground floor, first floor and second floor constructed about 12 -13 years ago, while the third and fourth floors were reportedly added in recent years. The building was located in an unauthorised colony. It is not among the 1,511 colonies identified for regularisation, MCD said.MCD officials were granted access to the site around 10.30 pm on May 30, following which they joined rescue and debris removal operations in coordination with NDRF. The civic body said precautions were taken to secure the adjoining buildings and residents were advised to stay away from the area.The operation continued through June 1, with officials and staff from the building and maintenance departments remaining engaged in rescue and clearance work for nearly 42 hours.