The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) demolished 543 properties, sealed 178 and issued 354 show-cause notices for unauthorised construction in a 17-day enforcement drive after the PG building collapse in Satya Niketan. The drive was carried out from September 6 to September 23, 2026.

MCD disclosed the figures in a compliance affidavit filed before the Delhi High Court on September 24. The affidavit followed the court’s directions after Property No. 14 in Satya Niketan collapsed on the afternoon of September 6. During the same period, MCD issued 205 sealing show-cause notices and 98 demolition orders. The civic body said the action reflects its response to the court’s direction to “intensify actions against unauthorised constructions and misuse of premises.”

The collapsed building had no sanctioned building plan on MCD records at any stage, as per the affidavit. The structure was built in phases. The ground, first and second floors and part of the third floor were constructed between 1970 and 1980. The basement and the remaining portion of the third floor were added in 1997-98. The building had load-bearing walls that were only 4.5 inches thick and had no RCC frame.

MCD said it had received no complaints against the property since 2001. The building had shops on the ground floor and operated as a PG hostel from 2007. After the collapse, MCD inspected 300 properties in Satya Niketan and found PG accommodation in 101 of them.

Buildings numbered 74, 75 and 76 were declared structurally dangerous. Their owners have obtained a court stay against the notices. MCD also identified 10 other properties as vulnerable and directed them to undergo structural audits by experts from IIT or DTU within 10 days.

The civic body also surveyed PG buildings across Delhi’s 12 zones. It identified 2,453 PG buildings with an estimated 50,529 occupants living in 32,247 rooms. Only 730 buildings had verified sanctioned building plans. MCD declared four buildings dangerous, while 30 required major repairs and 91 needed minor repairs. Another 85 buildings were placed under close monitoring.

In a separate citywide survey, MCD inspected nearly four lakh properties across 670 colonies for commercial misuse of residential premises. The exercise found more than 21,000 violations.

MCD also reported action against its officials. Five officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of the South Zone and a Junior Engineer, were suspended within a day of the collapse. A magisterial inquiry ordered by the Delhi government is underway. MCD said further departmental action will follow after the inquiry concludes.