New Delhi: Chairing a high-level meeting, Delhi Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu on Monday reviewed the enforcement mechanism against unsafe buildings and augmentation of accommodation for students in the backdrop of a PG building’s collapse on Sunday that claimed seven lives.
The L-G also directed urban development officials to lead a committee to review institutional PG guidelines.
In a message on X, the Lieutenant Governor said, “Chaired a review meeting with CM Smt. @gupta_rekha Ji, Minister Shri @AshishSood_bjp Ji, Chief Secretary, DG NDRF, @CPDelhi, and senior officials on building safety, student accommodation, and PG regulations across Delhi.”
“Emphasised strict enforcement against unsafe buildings, clear institutional accountability, and an emergency mechanism under DDMA for swift grievance redressal and crisis coordination,” wrote Sandhu.
He said in the post, “Directed the Minister (UD), GNCTD, to lead a committee with concerned senior officials to review institutional PG guidelines, explore alternative student accommodation through Universities, MCD & DDA, and assess the feasibility of using unutilised DDA housing stock for student accommodation.”
After the meeting, Minister Sood told reporters, “A joint meeting of all departments related to the Delhi administration was held today with the Lieutenant Governor in connection with this tragic incident.”
“The meeting discussed the police, NDRF, placement of NDRF at various locations, and how to further reduce our response time. Discussions were also held on addressing the gap in residential facilities for the large number of students studying in various colleges in Delhi, whether colleges of Delhi University or universities of the Delhi Government, including providing additional relaxation in FAR, if required, and making existing hostels available for redevelopment with an increase in FAR…”
Earlier, the Delhi Police arrested three accused linked to the PG building that collapsed at Satya Niketan on Sunday.
A police official said the electricity bill was in the name of Hariram Bansal’s name, while his wife Urmila is the legal owner of the building.
Their son Mahesh was responsible for operating the PG and taking decisions related to it, said a police official.
The five-storey building, known as ‘Hostel Daze’, was operating as a boys’ PG, and several students were staying there when the incident took place around 1.30 p.m. on Sunday, the police said.
An adjacent building also collapsed, according to eyewitnesses, adding to concerns over the safety and structural condition of buildings in the area.
A day after a building collapse claimed seven lives, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta vowed not to spare anyone found guilty, adding that five MCD officials have been suspended after the tragedy in South Delhi’s Satya Niketan.
The suspended employees include South Zone officials — Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar, Superintending Engineer (SE) Ranvir Singh, Executive Engineer (EE) Lalit Kumar Goel, Assistant Engineer (AE) Sunil Chauhan and Junior Engineer (JE) Ashish Kumar.
The Chief Minister also coordinated with civic agency officials to launch a citywide drive to seal buildings with unauthorised fifth floors.
(IANS)
