Break building laws, lose power, water

To check the growing number of unauthorised constructions in south Delhi, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), has come up with a tough penalty — snap power and water connections to such properties.

To check the growing number of unauthorised constructions in south Delhi, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), has come up with a tough penalty — snap power and water connections to such properties.

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Unauthorised construction refers to adding floors or rooms or extending balconies without prior approval. It also includes any kind of encroachment on public land.

“If owners get the property regularised by removing the illegal portions or by paying the regularisation fee they will be allowed to reinstall connections,” said an SDMC official.

Under the new directive, about 500 properties in south Delhi are likely to lose power and water connections by December. The corporation has also directed a fresh survey to identify more such properties.

“Unauthorised constructions are either demolished or sealed. In the past one month, the performance of the zonal officers in sealing buildings has been unsatisfactory. They have been asked to write to the Delhi Jal Board and discoms more frequently to cut off electricity and water connections to curb illegal construction,” said a senior SDMC official.