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The Delhi government has announced a series of stringent measures against unauthorised construction and fire safety violations following a hotel fire in south Delhi that claimed 21 lives. The administration will invoke provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to hold negligent officials accountable, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. District Magistrates (DMs) will be given expanded powers to identify violations, initiate disciplinary proceedings and oversee enforcement actions. The government has also directed joint inspections of hotels, guest houses, restaurants and other commercial establishments across the capital. The move comes amid a wider crackdown on illegal buildings, with authorities focusing on unsafe structures, unauthorised commercial use and violations of approved building plans.
The Delhi government has decided to invoke provisions of the Disaster Management Act (DMA), 2005, and strengthen enforcement against unauthorised construction across the national capital following the fatal fire at a hotel in south Delhi that killed 21 people. The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in the past week, with the objective of fixing accountability for building violations, fire safety lapses and administrative negligence.
According to the government, officials found negligent or involved in corruption related to illegal constructions and safety violations will face action under the Disaster Management Act, which provides for imprisonment of up to two years along with financial penalties. The administration has also decided to recover losses suffered by the government from salaries, pensions and properties of officials found responsible for allowing such violations to continue.
The government stated that accountability would not be limited to junior staff and would extend to senior officials as well. Under the new framework, action can be initiated against officers whose negligence or collusion enables unauthorised construction, fire safety breaches or other hazardous activities. The administration has also indicated that adverse remarks will be recorded in the Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) of erring officials, potentially affecting their future career progression.
As part of the reforms, District Magistrates will receive expanded powers to identify building violations, initiate disciplinary action, order the registration of FIRs and monitor enforcement within their jurisdictions. The government has directed DMs to submit daily reports on the removal of illegal constructions and has constituted joint inspection committees under their leadership. These committees will include representatives from Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
The inspection teams have been tasked with conducting intensive checks of hotels, guest houses, restaurants, banquet halls and other commercial establishments operating across the city. Authorities have been instructed to submit reports within a week and prioritise action against buildings that violate approved plans or pose safety risks. Structures exceeding the prescribed height limits and buildings lacking valid completion certificates have also been brought under scrutiny. The government has stated that such properties will not be eligible for new water or electricity connections or no-objection certificates.
The crackdown follows the fire at a bed-and-breakfast property in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar, which triggered concerns over illegal construction and compliance with fire safety regulations. In the aftermath of the incident, civic authorities intensified demolition, sealing and inspection drives across Delhi. Officials have begun identifying unauthorised structures and commercial establishments operating in violation of building by-laws and safety norms.
The latest measures signal a broader shift towards stricter enforcement of planning regulations and safety standards, with the government seeking to establish direct accountability for violations while strengthening oversight of construction activity across the capital.
Source - PTI
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