523 Buildings Sealed in Delhi After Deadly B&B Fire Exposes Safety Lapses

In the aftermath of the devastating fire at a bed-and-breakfast facility in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar on June 3, which claimed 23 lives, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) and civic agencies have sealed 523 buildings found violating fire safety norms and building by-laws. The action followed a comprehensive citywide survey ordered by the authorities to identify illegal structures and establishments.

An official confirmed on Tuesday that 680 buildings had been inspected so far. Of these, 157 were exempted from obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) under Rule 27 of the Delhi Fire Service Rules, 2010, and the Unified Building Bye Laws for Delhi, 2016. The remaining 523 structures were served notices and subsequently sealed by the respective civic agencies.

The inspections were carried out by 13 district-level and 39 subdivision-level committees constituted after the tragedy at Flourish Stay B&B. Most of the properties inspected are mixed-occupancy buildings, where residential premises are used for commercial, educational, or other activities. The DFS and other authorities are now scrutinising documents, including sanctioned building plans and fire-safety approvals, submitted by the owners of these sealed establishments for further legal action.

During the inspections, teams verify NOCs and other clearances, and examine the structure against the by-laws to ensure compliance with occupancy and fire safety norms. The process is part of a broader effort to prevent such incidents in the future.

For buildings covered by Rule 27, DFS approval is required at two stages. Before construction begins, building plans are examined and fire safety recommendations are issued. After construction, the installed fire and life safety measures are inspected before a certificate is issued for occupancy. The mandatory NOC applies to high-rise and high-risk buildings, as well as underground structures.

The sealing of buildings has raised concerns among residents and business owners, but officials maintain that the action is necessary to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The authorities have assured that the legal process will be fair and that owners will have an opportunity to rectify the violations.

The Malviya Nagar fire has brought attention to the state of fire safety in the capital, particularly in establishments operating in residential areas. The citywide survey is expected to continue, with more buildings likely to be inspected in the coming weeks. Authorities have said that the sealed buildings will remain closed until violations are addressed and necessary approvals are obtained.