Delhi building collapse: Civic body survey finds dangerous PGs, 69 people at risk

A survey of paying guest (PG) buildings in Delhi following the collapse of a five-storey PG/hostel building in Satya Niketan has found three buildings to be visibly dangerous, with 69 people living in them.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has so far surveyed 1,226 PG buildings as part of its Tentative Survey. The survey was ongoing as of September 9, 2026, and the figures are not final.

Of the 1,226 buildings surveyed, 1,169 were found to be visibly safe, with around 24,747 people living in them. Another 39 buildings were found to require minor repairs, with around 664 people residing in them.

Nine PG buildings were found to require major repairs. Around 140 people are living in these buildings.

The civic body carried out 40 demolition actions on Monday as part of its ongoing drive against dangerous and unauthorised buildings. A civic official told PTI that owners will be given an opportunity to demolish such buildings, failing which the MCD will step in.SOUTH ZONE HAS 3 DANGEROUS PG BUILDINGS

The most serious findings came from the South zone, where 33 PG buildings were surveyed in one division. Of these, 29 were found to be safe, one required minor repairs and three were categorised as visibly dangerous.

Around 69 people are living in the three buildings classified as visibly dangerous.CIVIL LINES SEES HIGHEST NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS

The Civil Lines zone recorded the highest number of PG buildings surveyed. A total of 450 buildings were inspected, of which 442 were found to be safe and eight required minor repairs.

The report also mentions 19 framed-structure buildings in the Civil Lines area that are more than G+4 in height. Around 380 people are living in these buildings.

In one division of the Keshav Puram zone, 280 PG buildings were surveyed. Of these, 265 were found to be safe, 10 required minor repairs and five required major repairs. Around 36 people are living in the five buildings requiring major repairs.REPAIRS NEEDED IN NARELA, NAJAFGARH

In Narela, 67 PG buildings were surveyed. While 63 were found to be safe, four required minor repairs. Around 32 people are living in these four buildings.

In Najafgarh, 73 PG buildings were surveyed. Of these, 61 were found to be safe, 10 required minor repairs and two required major repairs. Around 38 people are living in the two buildings requiring major repairs.WHAT MCD IS CHECKING

The survey is primarily examining whether the building plan has been approved, the availability of a structural stability certificate and occupancy certificate, the validity of the building's use, compliance with Master Plan Delhi (MPD) rules, regularisation status and whether PG activity is permitted in the building.

Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Pravesh Wahi said the MCD survey is still underway. He said most PGs in Delhi operate in residential colonies and that fire NOCs are not required for such residential houses. However, those operating in a commercial manner are required to obtain a fire NOC.

The MCD document describes the exercise as a Tentative Survey and states that the “Survey still continue”. Therefore, the number of PG buildings surveyed and the number categorised as requiring repairs or as dangerous may change as the exercise continues.

The survey has so far covered 1,226 PG buildings, with around 25,620 people living across them. Of these, 69 people are residing in the three buildings classified as visibly dangerous.- EndsPublished By: Published On: Sep 15, 2026 16:13 IST