The Delhi Development Authority has directed owners and occupiers of qualifying high-rise buildings to complete mandatory structural safety audits within three months, warning that non-compliance could lead to legal action, property restrictions or sealing under applicable rules.
The notice covers buildings that are 15 metres or higher and whose building plans were sanctioned or construction was completed before March 21, 2001. Structural engineers empanelled with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi or government agencies will be authorised to conduct the audits, while owners or occupiers will have to bear the fees and associated costs.
According to the notice, the DDA had issued a similar order in July 2020, but compliance remained limited. The latest circular has therefore reissued the requirement with a defined deadline. The authority said the structural safety audit was mandatory for all high-rise buildings meeting the specified criteria.
The requirement also applies to buildings sanctioned before March 2001 that are less than 15 metres high but have high public congregation. The categories listed by the authority include educational buildings, hospitals, institutional buildings, assembly buildings, cinema halls, malls and group housing projects.
The DDA has clarified that permission to carry out structural upgrades or repairs, including retrofitting, will not amount to approval or pardon of illegal construction or any other illegal activity on the property. Building owners will still remain responsible for compliance with applicable planning and construction regulations.
The action framework cited in the notice follows Delhi government notifications issued on April 24, 2019, and February 10, 2020, following directions from the Delhi High Court. Those notifications sought to mandate structural audits and implementation plans to make buildings in Delhi seismically compliant.
In cases of non-compliance, the owner or occupier could face criminal or civil prosecution for endangering public safety under applicable building regulations and bylaws. The rules also allow restrictions on the property and sealing as provided under the relevant norms. The three-month deadline will determine the next stage of enforcement for buildings covered by the notice.
