NEW DELHI: In 2025, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi identified 4,766 unauthorized constructions across the city and issued 3,989 demolition orders, as per official reports.
The civic body disclosed that demolition or sealing actions were undertaken against 3,294 properties under the provisions of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act.
Of those, 22 structures were completely demolished, 2,249 were partially demolished, and 1,023 properties were sealed.
This data pertains to properties that were formally booked by the civic body for unauthorized construction or violations of approved building plans and regulations.
According to Section 343 of the DMC Act, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) can take action against unauthorized constructions on private land, as reported by an official.
“The process starts with booking the property and issuing notices to the owners, asking them to either remove the unauthorized portions or get them regularized. The civic body may proceed with further action based on their response,” stated a senior official.
In addition to actions against booked properties, the civic body has also targeted unauthorized constructions detected during the construction phase prior to formal booking.
The data indicated that demolition or sealing actions were taken in 722 such cases, which included six fully demolished structures, 660 partially demolished properties, and 56 sealed premises.
During the reviewed period, the civic body initiated 276 prosecutions under the DMC Act.
As part of its enforcement strategies, the MCD sent 6,300 letters to police authorities to halt construction works and issued 4,749 communications to various agencies—including the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and power utility BSES—requesting service disconnections and cessation of property registrations.
Concerns surrounding unauthorized constructions intensified following a tragic incident on May 30, when a multi-storey building that housed a coaching center, cafes, and offices collapsed near the Saket Metro station, leading to six fatalities and eight injuries.
Officials noted that this building, measuring approximately 300 square meters, included a basement and three floors built roughly 12 to 13 years prior, with additional floors constructed in recent years.
Civic officials remarked that this property was situated in an unauthorized colony not included in the 1,511 colonies earmarked for regularization.
Three days post-collapse, the MCD issued show-cause notices to eight nearby buildings found to be violating building regulations and announced plans for expanded inspections in surrounding areas.
“Notices were issued to all unauthorized buildings exceeding ground plus three floors (G+3). The drive will commence in Mehrauli, Saket, and adjacent areas,” a senior MCD official explained.
“Illegal constructions are prevalent in Saidulajab, Paryavaran Complex, and the Freedom Fighters’ Enclave in Saket. We will also identify illegal structures in Mehrauli and nearby regions,” the official added.
Notices issued during this ongoing operation will be converted into vacation-cum-sealing notices after the required 72-hour notice period, after which occupants will be requested to vacate the premises.
