Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the NDMC to identify dilapidated buildings and repair or demolish them to prevent any eventuality, such as their collapsing ahead of the Monsoon season,

In a letter written to the two civic bodies on June 20, the L-G said it has been observed in the past that during the monsoon season, dangerous buildings have caved in, causing loss of lives and property.

According to Section 348 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 the Municipal Corporation is bound to identify such dangerous buildings and take appropriate remedial steps.

“In view of the impending monsoon season, the exercise to identify such dangerous buildings should be completed by 30th June 2022 so that appropriate action to demolish, secure, repair such buildings is taken so as to prevent any mishap resulting in loss of life or any inconvenience to the public at large,” it stated.

“Further for the purpose of rescue and relief in case of any mishap, densely built localities providing limited and restricted access for movement fire tenders, cranes etc. may also be identified.

In public interest an Action Plan should be prepared for effective disaster management in consultation with DMs,” it firther read. "The LG has issued written directions to special officer and commissioner of MCD, chairman of the NDMC to undertake the exercise and submit an action taken report within a fortnight," officials said.

“Considering the difficulties in carrying out rescue and relief operations in case of any mishap in congested or densely populated areas, the LG has also asked the agencies to identify such areas that provide limited and restricted access for fire tenders or cranes and address them in anticipation by preparing an action plan for effective disaster management in consultation with the concerned District Magistrates,” the officials said.

“Ever since taking over as the LG has been emphasising on mitigating any inconvenience to the general public during the impending monsoon.

On several occasions, the LG has directed the civic agencies to ensure there is minimum waterlogging or flooding on the streets during the rain,” he said.“The civic bodies and road-owning agencies have also been told to carry out pruning of trees, particularly the dead or weak branches that are precariously hanging over the busy arterial roads, streets and lanes of the city,” he added.