Facing criticism over alleged building norm violations linked to the recent Saidulajab building collapse and the deadly Hauz Rani fire, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Friday launched a sealing and demolition drive in the city’s south zone, targeting unauthorised constructions and illegally operated guest houses.MCD officials carry out sealing drive against illegal hotels and guest houses allegedly violating safety norms in Malviya Nagar. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)MCD’s south zone deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar said 12 properties were sealed on Friday as part of the exercise.“In Saidulajab, where a building recently collapsed, we are targeting structures in a similar condition that could pose a threat to public safety. Notices were issued three days ago in compliance with the mandatory 72-hour notice rule. We have identified 41 such buildings so far and issued 32 show-cause notices on Friday. More properties will be sealed once the notice period expires,” Kumar said.In Khirki Extension, one property was partially demolished and remaining sealed, while MCD teams took action against eight properties in Saidulajab. Officials said further sealing and demolition drives are planned against the 32 properties in Saidulajab and nine properties in Khirki Extension.Referring to the Hauz Rani fire, Kumar said a survey had identified 12 bread and breakfast (B&B) establishments allegedly operating illegally.“Four of these units have been sealed and action will be taken against the remaining properties as well,” he said on Friday evening. Later, officials said one more B&B unit was sealed, taking the total to five.The civic body said it has intensified enforcement action across Delhi against unauthorised construction and misuse of properties. Since June 1, MCD has issued more than 150 sealing and demolition notices to owners of such structures.“As many as 82 properties have been demolished and 43 sealed as part of the citywide drive against unauthorised construction since June 1. The action was carried out by MCD teams with assistance from Delhi Police. Bulldozers were deployed to remove illegal structures and properties operating in violation of building norms were sealed,” an MCD official said, asking not to be named.According to officials, demolition action was also carried out against seven properties in the Civil Lines zone and eight properties in the Narela zone.An MCD spokesperson said a joint survey conducted with other agencies identified more than 12 bed-and-breakfast joints operating in violation of building by-laws in Hauz Rani. The survey also identified 32 such properties in Saidulajab and nine in Khirki Extension.“During Friday’s drive, five guest houses in Hauz Rani were sealed. These included Green Residency, Venue Inn, Sky Inn, Flourish Inn, and Mikasa Inn,” the spokesperson said.“These areas are under constant surveillance to identify unauthorised construction and guest houses operating in violation of regulations,” the spokesperson said.In Savitri Nagar, Sainik Farm and Khanpur, action was taken against three properties. MCD also sealed three basements in Gautam Nagar that were allegedly being used as libraries in violation of regulations, said officials.