A recent examination of paying guest (PG) accommodations in Delhi has identified three buildings deemed unsafe, housing a total of sixty-nine residents. This survey, prompted by the collapse of a five-storey PG hostel in Satya Niketan, was conducted by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) as part of a Tentative Survey.

As of September 9, 2026, the survey had encompassed 1,226 PG buildings, with assessments ongoing. Out of the total surveyed buildings, 1,169 were classified as visibly safe, accommodating approximately 24,747 individuals. Nineteen PG buildings were found needing minor repairs, with about 664 people residing in them. A further nine structures were flagged for major repairs, affecting around 140 residents.

The MCD has initiated demolition actions against dangerous and unauthorised buildings, conducting 40 demolitions on a recent Monday. A municipal official noted that building owners will be allowed to carry out demolitions voluntarily; if they fail to do so, the MCD will intervene. The most concerning findings occurred in the South zone, which surveyed thirty-three buildings, revealing that three were visibly dangerous.

Zones and Building Conditions Disclosed

The Civil Lines zone documented the highest engagement, inspecting 450 PG buildings. Among these, 442 were reported as safe, with eight requiring minor repairs. Additionally, the report noted the presence of nineteen framed structures exceeding four floors in Civil Lines, which currently house around 380 residents.

In another division of the Keshav Puram zone, 280 PG buildings were assessed. The results indicated that 265 were secure, ten needed minor repairs, and five had major issues, affecting a total of thirty-six residents. Meanwhile, in Narela, a survey of 67 PG buildings found that only four needed minor repairs, impacting approximately 32 individuals.

The Najafgarh area examined 73 PG buildings, determining that 61 were safe, while 10 required minor repairs and two demanded major repairs, with about thirty-eight residents affected in the latter buildings.

Objectives of the MCD Survey

The MCD’s survey aims to determine whether essential documentation, including approved building plans, structural stability certificates, and occupancy certificates, is in place. The assessment also checks compliance with Master Plan Delhi (MPD) regulations and the regularisation status of these buildings.

Mayor Pravesh Wahi indicated that most PG accommodations operate in residential neighbourhoods, where fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) are generally not mandated unless the operation is commercial. The MCD describes the survey as a Tentative Survey, highlighting that it remains ongoing. As such, the number of surveyed buildings and those needing repairs may evolve as the process continues.

Currently, 1,226 PG buildings have been assessed, collectively housing approximately 25,620 residents, with sixty-nine individuals living in the three identified unsafe structures. Residents and stakeholders await further updates as the MCD continues its detailed evaluation of PG accommodations in Delhi to ensure safety and compliance with established regulations.

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