Gurugram Flags 87 Unsafe Buildings; Demolition Action to Follow Notices

The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has identified 87 buildings considered unsafe across its six zones and is preparing further action against properties that remain non-compliant. Show-cause notices have been issued to 66 building owners, while the process of notifying owners of the remaining 21 buildings is underway.

The civic body has not announced a common demolition date for all 87 properties. Officials have said action, including demolition where required, will follow the completion of notices and other prescribed procedures.

The survey comes after a building collapse in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area killed seven people and injured 12. Following the incident, officials were directed to identify dangerous structures in their respective areas and review existing demolition orders. The exercise has brought renewed attention to structural safety in older buildings and properties being used beyond their intended capacity.

How many unsafe buildings has MCG identified?

The survey found unsafe buildings across all six MCG zones. Zone 1 recorded the highest number, with 35 structures identified. Zone 5 had 18, while Zone 3 accounted for 12.

The zone-wise distribution is as follows:

The figures were reported following the civic body’s survey. Notices have so far been issued to owners of 66 buildings, with notices for the remaining 21 still being processed.

MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya said the corporation would complete the prescribed procedures before taking further steps. This means identification alone does not establish that every building will be demolished immediately. The next action will depend on the notice process and the outcome of the required proceedings.

Why has the civic body stepped up inspections?

The survey began on September 9, following the fatal building collapse in Satya Niketan, Delhi. The incident prompted authorities to take a closer look at structures that could pose similar risks.

According to reporting on the Gurugram survey, some of the buildings identified had visible structural defects. Officials have also raised concerns about buildings accommodating more people than they were designed for and properties lacking mandatory fire safety certifications.

These issues can overlap, but they are not identical. Structural defects concern the condition and stability of a building. Fire safety and occupancy concerns relate to whether a property can safely accommodate the people using it and whether required safeguards are in place.

A building may require a closer structural assessment even if it has been in use for years. Similarly, a property being occupied does not, by itself, establish that it meets all applicable safety requirements.

The findings will need to be assessed on a building-by-building basis before the authorities decide what corrective measures are necessary.

What happens to the 87 buildings now?

The immediate step is to complete the show-cause notice process. Owners are expected to have an opportunity to respond in accordance with the applicable procedures. Where corrective action is required, the authorities will determine the next steps under the relevant rules.

Buildings for which owners fail to take the required action despite receiving notices may face demolition proceedings after the notice period and other formalities have been completed.

MCG has not provided a final demolition schedule covering all 87 structures. Nor does the reported count establish that every building has the same structural defect or requires the same remedy.

For residents, tenants and property owners, the distinction matters. A building identified during a survey should not automatically be described as already ordered for demolition unless the authority has issued the relevant order.

The legal process also matters because decisions affecting occupied buildings can require residents to make alternative living arrangements. Any specific direction to vacate, repair or demolish a property will depend on the orders applicable to that building.

Gurugram’s wider building-safety concerns

The latest survey comes amid broader scrutiny of building use, unauthorised construction and fire safety in Gurugram.

On October 8, MCG identified 1,625 unauthorised paying guest (PG) accommodations operating across different jurisdictions in the city, according to separate reporting. Many were reportedly operating without the required licences, registrations or fire safety clearances. The figures relate to a separate exercise and should not be confused with the 87 unsafe buildings identified in the current survey.

The city has also seen enforcement action against alleged violations of approved building plans. In a separate case, the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) flagged alleged deviations at Uniworld Garden-1 in Sector 47, Gurugram. The residents’ association sought additional time to examine the allegations and prepare a response.

The Uniworld Garden-1 matter concerns alleged planning violations, rather than the same category of unsafe structures identified by MCG. It nevertheless illustrates the different kinds of building-related issues that can trigger regulatory scrutiny, from deviations from approved plans to structural and occupancy concerns.

Another case involving structural safety is Chintels Paradiso in Sector 109, where the developer has sought permission to demolish another tower after it was declared unsafe.

The circumstances of individual buildings differ, and the cases should not be treated as evidence that the same problem exists across all residential properties in the city. They do, however, underline the importance of building assessments, regulatory compliance and timely action where safety concerns are established.

What should property owners and residents check?

For people living in older buildings, the latest survey is a reminder to take visible signs of deterioration seriously. Cracks, structural movement, damaged concrete or other unusual changes should be assessed by a qualified structural professional rather than judged solely by appearance.

Residents and prospective buyers can also review the property's available documentation, including approved building plans, occupation or completion certificates, maintenance records and any notices issued by the relevant authority. Where a building has been subject to a structural audit or official safety notice, those records are particularly important.

Tenants should pay attention to any official directions issued for the property in which they live. If an authority orders a building to be vacated, occupants should follow the applicable order and seek clarification from the responsible authority or qualified legal adviser where necessary.

For prospective buyers, the presence of an attractive price or location should not replace checks on a building’s legal and physical condition. In resale transactions especially, available structural assessments and regulatory records can help identify issues that may not be apparent during a routine viewing.

What happens next?

MCG is expected to continue issuing notices to the owners of the remaining buildings and complete the required formalities before deciding on further action.

The survey has identified 87 structures across the city’s six zones, but the next stage will determine what action is appropriate for each property. Until the corporation announces specific orders or a demolition schedule, it would be premature to assume that all 87 buildings will be razed at the same time.

For Gurugram, the immediate issue is whether the identified risks are addressed before they lead to further incidents. The outcome will depend on the follow-through: completion of notices, assessment of individual cases and enforcement of the measures required to protect residents.