Safety concerns at Delhi’s Kidwai Bhawan have prompted the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to inspect the deteriorating office building after employees reported falling debris, damaged concrete and unsafe working conditions.
About 150 employees of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) work in the building on Janpath, opposite Janpath market, according to a report by The Times of India. The property consists of two adjoining structures of eight and six floors.
Visible signs of deterioration include cracked and peeling concrete, exposed reinforcement bars, damaged balconies, broken windowpanes and vegetation growing through cracks. In some areas, plaster has fallen from walls and ceilings, exposing brickwork and underlying material.
Employees told the newspaper that debris had fallen several times. In August, a woman was injured after debris fell from the roof, staff members said. They alleged that instead of being relocated from the building, she was moved to another room on the same floor. The account could not be independently verified.
Workers also said that when parts of the building are considered unsafe, employees are shifted to other rooms or floors while work continues elsewhere. They further reported deteriorating ceilings, damaged walls, water accumulation near washrooms and weathered external slabs. Technicians have allegedly refused to work near certain balconies or air-conditioning units because of concerns about the surrounding structure.
According to employees, a large structure near the rear parking area collapsed about two years ago. Signboards were subsequently installed warning people to stay away from locations where falling debris could pose a risk. Staff members said the warnings have not addressed the wider condition of the building.
The building is located within the NDMC area but is not owned by the civic body. NDMC chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi told The Times of India that the issue had not previously been brought to the council’s notice. He said a team would inspect the building and contact MTNL and BSNL, the owners, to discuss concerns including the risk from falling concrete.
“Necessary action will be taken after the discussions with the owners,” Dwivedi said.
The newspaper said its attempts to obtain a response from MTNL and BSNL did not receive a reply. The next step is the NDMC inspection and its discussions with the building owners on the reported structural and maintenance risks.
