North Delhi Municipal Corporation forms committee to check illegal constructions

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has formed a committee — led by top officials — to ensure that under construction buildings sealed by officials remain sealed.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has formed a committee — led by top officials — to ensure that under construction buildings sealed by officials remain sealed.

The move comes in the wake of complaints received by the north corporation about construction work being reinitiated in various buildings which were either sealed or partially demolished. (Sushil Kumar/HT file photo)

The committee comprises four officials, including an additional commissioner and would directly report to the north Delhi municipal commissioner.

Sources in the municipal corporation said that the move comes in the wake of complaints received by the north corporation about construction work being reinitiated in various buildings which were either sealed or partially demolished.

“On investigation, we found that several buildings where the corporation had taken action were being re-constructed illegally or without permission either through hidden back doors or after breaking the seal,” said a senior municipal official.

An official said that the work of the newly formed committee will be to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. It will also carry out random checks at sites where corporation had previously taken action.

The official added that the committee will also take action against any municipal officials, if they are found involved.

The municipal corporation had last month suspended four officials in two separate cases for allegedly issuing regularization certificates to buildings illegally and for failing to curb illegal construction.

“The new committee will review at least five demolished buildings each week. Also all departments of the municipal corporation have been asked to file pre-demolition and post-demolition pictures to the committee for better vigilance,” said a high ranking official.

“We have formed the committee to intensify the checks on illegal construction and encroachment. The main aim is to ensure that there is no reconstruction takes place on sites where the corporation has taken action,” said PK Gupta, north Delhi municipal commissioner.