NEW DELHI: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) issued a new public notice on Tuesday instructing residents of the Palika Dham complex near Gole Market to vacate the premises immediately due to safety concerns regarding the building.
The notice, signed by the NDMC’s joint director, sets March 7 as the deadline for residents to leave.
“We wish to inform the public that the structure is in a dilapidated state and is unsafe for habitation. We request all Palika Dham residents to cooperate with the administration in vacating the premises to avoid any risks,” the notice stated.
Additionally, the NDMC announced bidding dates for alternative municipal housing for eligible Palika Dham residents who comply with the vacate order. Type I and Type II quarters in various NDMC residential complexes will be available at a standard license fee. The deadline for bidding is March 7.
The notice has received a mixed reaction, with not all eligible residents showing interest in seeking alternative accommodations.
The latest directive follows a similar order issued nearly six months ago, which faced resistance from residents. Assurances were made at that time that only repairs would be conducted, and sanitation workers would not be forced to leave their accommodations. Palika Dham consists of 122 flats, with 82 currently occupied.
Constructed in 1974, the complex is made of brick masonry. Officials referenced a structural analysis report that advised immediate eviction for safety reasons. “In July, we offered alternative accommodations in Type II flats at Sarojini Nagar and Lodhi Road for employees residing in Type I flats who work in NDMC’s sanitation and health departments,” an official explained.
“The structural assessment indicated that the buildings are in a dangerous condition, necessitating immediate evacuation for safety. Therefore, extending the deadline is not an option. After March 7, we will begin phased evictions, targeting flats allegedly occupied illegally by retired staff members who have already received eviction notices.”
In July, the NDMC began measures against unsafe buildings over 50 years old in Lutyens’ Delhi, resulting in the evacuation of residential complexes at Pandara Park and Prithvi Raj Lane. Notices were also sent to Palika Dham residents at that time.
The residents’ welfare association (RWA) has questioned the NDMC’s motives, alleging that there are intentions to construct Type III or Type IV high-rise buildings at the site, which could jeopardize the residents’ chances of returning. The RWA insists that the complex requires repairs, not complete reconstruction, claiming the eviction notice is a tactic to clear the site.
Some residents have communicated their intention to remain in the complex, asserting their decision to resist the eviction. “We were advised not to vacate, and we will stand firm on that,” stated a resident who wished to remain anonymous.
