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The New Delhi Municipal Council has issued a public notice directing residents of the Palika Dham housing complex near Gole Market, New Delhi, to vacate the premises by March 7, 2026, after declaring the building structurally unsafe for habitation. The directive follows a recent structural assessment that found the over-50-year-old brick-masonry Type I residential complex in a dilapidated condition, posing potential risks to occupants. NDMC has offered affected residents alternative accommodation options in Type I and II quarters at regular licence fees, with bidding also closing on March 7. The order, which echoes earlier evacuation notices issued last year, has met with mixed reactions from residents some seeking repairs rather than relocation, and others beginning to explore housing alternatives. The civic body has maintained that no deadline extension will be granted to those still residing in the complex.
The New Delhi Municipal Council has formally declared the Palika Dham residential complex near Gole Market in central Delhi structurally unsafe and has instructed all remaining occupants to vacate the premises by March 7, 2026, citing serious concerns over habitability and safety, civic officials said earlier this week. Advertisement
In a public notice issued by the council's Housing Department, authorities stated that the brick-masonry Type I quarters, which were built in the early 1970s, have significantly deteriorated over time and are no longer considered suitable for occupation. A recent structural assessment reportedly found extensive wear and signs of weakening in the building fabric, prompting the urgent directive for evacuation to prevent any potential accidents or life-threatening events.
The Palika Dham complex, comprising 122 flats with around 82 still occupied, has been under scrutiny for safety issues for over a year. NDMC had previously issued a similar evacuation order in mid-2025, but that effort faced resistance from residents, many of whom are current or retired government employees who have lived on the site for decades. Assurances were reportedly given at that time that only repair work would be undertaken and that occupants would not be displaced. However, the latest directive emphasises that no further deadline extensions will be granted.
To facilitate relocation, NDMC has also published bidding details for alternative accommodation in Type I and Type II quarters at standard licence fees, with the last date to bid aligned with the evacuation deadline of March 7. The authority has urged residents to cooperate and accelerate their move to reduce personal risk arising from continued occupation of the ageing structures.
The evacuation order has elicited a mixed response among residents. Some have welcomed the safety concern cited by the council and begun exploring options for relocation, while others have expressed scepticism, suggesting that the complex could be repaired rather than emptied and hinting at fears of potential redevelopment that might disadvantage existing occupants. Local resident welfare associations have reportedly sought clarifications from public representatives to address these apprehensions.
NDMC officials, however, have reiterated that the safety assessment guided the decision and that ensuring residents welfare through alternative housing remains a priority as deadlines approach.
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