Employees at Delhi’s deteriorating Kidwai Bhawan on Janpath say falling debris, damaged concrete and unsafe balconies have made routine work a daily safety concern, prompting the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to announce an inspection of the building and discussions with its owners, MTNL and BSNL.
About 150 employees of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited work in the two adjoining structures, which are eight and six floors high. Staffers told the Times of India that the building has visible cracks, peeling concrete, exposed reinforcement bars, damaged balconies, broken windowpanes and vegetation growing through sections of the exterior.
Employees also reported that plaster and concrete have fallen from the building on several occasions. In August, debris reportedly fell from the roof and injured a woman. According to employees, she was moved to another room on the same floor rather than being relocated out of the building. The account could not be independently verified beyond the employees’ statements.
Workers said that when a section is considered unsafe after debris falls or structural damage is noticed, staff are shifted to another room or floor while work continues elsewhere in the complex. They said a large structure near the rear parking area had collapsed about two years ago, after which warning signs were installed around locations where falling debris posed a risk.
The reported deterioration extends indoors, with employees pointing to damaged ceilings and walls, water accumulation near washrooms and loose material in overhead sections. Staff also said technicians have refused to work near certain balconies or air-conditioning units because the surrounding structure appears unsafe.
Kidwai Bhawan stands within the NDMC area, but the council does not own the property. NDMC chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said the matter had not previously been brought to the council’s notice. He said a team would inspect the building and contact MTNL and BSNL to discuss the concerns, including the risk from falling concrete.
“Necessary action will be taken after the discussions with the owners,” Dwivedi said, according to the report.
The Times of India reported that attempts to obtain a response from the building owners did not receive a reply. Employees also alleged that they had been discouraged from raising concerns, although that claim was not independently verified.
The next step is the NDMC inspection and its proposed engagement with MTNL and BSNL. The supplied report does not establish whether the building has undergone a recent structural audit or whether a permanent repair, evacuation or redevelopment plan has been approved.
