The Delhi government has ordered a comprehensive structural audit of old government school buildings after identifying 108 government and government-aided school buildings as unsafe and hazardous.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to assess the structural safety of school buildings constructed during the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government as well as those built earlier. The exercise aims to evaluate ageing infrastructure and ensure the safety of students and staff.

More Than 100 School Buildings Found Unsafe

A preliminary inspection carried out by the Education Department and the PWD found that 108 government and government-aided school buildings require attention.

Of these, 54 buildings were found to be in an extremely dilapidated condition.

The government has initiated the process to demolish these structures, with seven school buildings expected to be demolished in the first phase over the coming months.

Officials said the PWD has also been asked to estimate the cost of repairing or reconstructing ageing school buildings. Proposals have additionally been submitted for structural audits of 14 more school buildings.

Digital Profiling Planned For School Infrastructure

As part of a wider school safety initiative, the Delhi government plans to introduce digital profiling of school buildings.

The exercise will scientifically assess the structural stability of each building, along with fire safety, electrical systems and other critical safety parameters, allowing periodic monitoring of their condition.

The government said school buildings found to be unsafe will be replaced with modern, earthquake-resistant G+4 structures.

It has also announced plans to construct permanent school campuses on 27 vacant government land parcels to strengthen educational infrastructure across the national capital.

Reconstruction To Be Carried Out In Phases

Officials said demolition and reconstruction will be undertaken in phases to minimise disruption to academic activities.

Students will be shifted to nearby safe school buildings wherever necessary during the construction process.

The decision follows an Aaj Tak ground report that highlighted the condition of several government school buildings in Delhi. The report alleged that some buildings constructed during the previous AAP government’s tenure had developed cracks and structural deficiencies within a few years of completion, raising concerns about construction quality.

The Delhi government said the citywide audit is intended to create a safer and more modern learning environment by identifying structurally vulnerable buildings and prioritising their repair or reconstruction.

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