📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Nivas10798
National
Delhi Orders Safety Audits for All DDA Buildings Over 50 Years Old
✍️ NDTV Top
🗓 08 Sep 2026, 09:37 AM
👁 18
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is planning a safety audit of every Delhi Development Authority building that is more than five decades old, announced by Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
Delhi's chief minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, conveyed that the central Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is evaluating a comprehensive safety audit for all Delhi Development Authority (DDA) structures that have stood for over 50 years. The proposal aims to assess structural integrity, fire safety measures, and compliance with current building codes, following concerns about aging infrastructure in the capital.
If approved, the audit will be carried out by certified engineering firms under the supervision of the ministry, with findings reported to both the central and state governments. Buildings identified as high‑risk could face remedial orders, temporary closures, or reconstruction mandates.
The move comes amid a broader national focus on urban safety, especially after recent incidents involving older structures across India. Officials said the audit will be phased, prioritising residential complexes and public facilities that serve large populations.
Stakeholders, including DDA officials and resident associations, have been asked to cooperate with the inspection teams and provide access to relevant documentation. The timeline for the audit rollout has not been disclosed, but authorities indicated that the process will begin as soon as the plan receives formal approval.
The initiative underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding citizens in rapidly expanding urban areas, ensuring that legacy buildings meet contemporary safety standards.
If approved, the audit will be carried out by certified engineering firms under the supervision of the ministry, with findings reported to both the central and state governments. Buildings identified as high‑risk could face remedial orders, temporary closures, or reconstruction mandates.
The move comes amid a broader national focus on urban safety, especially after recent incidents involving older structures across India. Officials said the audit will be phased, prioritising residential complexes and public facilities that serve large populations.
Stakeholders, including DDA officials and resident associations, have been asked to cooperate with the inspection teams and provide access to relevant documentation. The timeline for the audit rollout has not been disclosed, but authorities indicated that the process will begin as soon as the plan receives formal approval.
The initiative underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding citizens in rapidly expanding urban areas, ensuring that legacy buildings meet contemporary safety standards.