NEW DELHI: In response to directives from the Supreme Court, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has launched a thorough initiative to pinpoint instances of residential properties being misused for non-residential purposes throughout the city.
The Supreme Court’s order, issued in early April, involved municipal corporations from all capital cities, including the MCD, and mandated a thorough inquiry within their respective jurisdictions.
MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar has directed all zonal deputy commissioners to conduct a targeted survey aimed at identifying residential areas that are currently being utilized for commercial or other non-residential activities.
This survey will encompass all residential colonies, including both unauthorized and regularized ones, group housing societies, and plotted developments. It will also extend to regions within MCD jurisdiction as well as isolated pockets surrounded by MCD areas.
Officials have been instructed to conduct field inspections, meticulously verify data, and compile zone-wise lists of violations. The civic body has stressed the importance of accurate data backed by thorough records, as this will serve as the basis for an affidavit to be submitted to the Supreme Court. Senior officials are also expected to ensure accountability in cases of errors or omissions in reporting.
Under MCD’s directives, the finalized reports must be presented to the additional commissioner (engineering) within seven days to enable consolidation and timely submission of the affidavit, which will be endorsed by a senior authority.
In reaction to the MCD’s mandate, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor expressed concern that the timeframe given was insufficient to cover the entire city. “Moreover, previous efforts to cover various areas are still pending conversion to mixed-use or commercial status. It’s essential for officials to have a comprehensive understanding of the situation,” he remarked.
The municipal corporation has warned that any delays or negligence in this exercise could lead to serious consequences, given the strict directives from the Supreme Court.
