New Delhi, September 6 (Daily Kiran) : The recent collapse of a building in the Satya Niketan area of New Delhi has sparked serious concerns regarding the safety of older structures in the city. Atul Garg, the former director of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), highlighted that many buildings originally designed for residential purposes have since been repurposed for commercial use. This shift increases the load on these structures, potentially compromising their structural integrity.
In an interview, Garg noted that prior to the Satya Niketan incident, there was a similar building collapse in the Saidulajab area of Saket. Additionally, a fire incident occurred in Palam Vihar. He pointed out that these incidents share common characteristics, as the buildings involved were initially constructed for residential use but later converted for commercial activities without proper approvals or structural evaluations.
When residential buildings are transformed into coaching centers or hostels, the number of occupants significantly rises, placing additional strain on the structures. If an already weak building is subjected to further construction or commercial activities, the risk of failure increases dramatically.
Garg expressed concern over the large number of people residing in such old buildings, many of which have questionable architectural plans and construction conditions. He emphasized the urgent need for regular inspections and audits of these structures.
Regarding the operational issues of hostels in Satya Niketan, Garg stated that there is still a lack of clarity regarding regulations and responsibilities. Notably, these buildings did not require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the DFS for hostel operations. Furthermore, many of these structures were built in areas originally designated for residential use but are now being used illegally for commercial purposes, which falls outside the DFS’s jurisdiction. The primary responsibility lies with the building authority.
He elaborated on the regulations for buildings over 15 meters tall, which differ from those for shorter buildings, where the fire brigade’s approval process is distinct.
Garg has called on the administration to conduct audits of all old buildings in the Satya Niketan area. It is essential to audit residential buildings currently being used for commercial purposes to determine their safety for such usage. Additionally, there is a need to educate students and others to avoid residing in hostels that do not adhere to safety standards.
He concluded by stressing the importance of surveying old buildings in Delhi, especially following the incident in Malviya Nagar, and expressed hope for progress in ensuring the safety of residents.
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