Delhi High Court on Wednesday rapped the Centre, the city government and municipal bodies saying they were waiting for disasters to happen as only 10-15 per cent buildings in the capital complied with the building by-laws.
The court observed over a report, filed by a civic body, that a Nepal-like quake could wipe out 90 per cent of Delhi.
An alarming situation was revealed through an affidavit that 25 per cent of the buildings in the MCD areas fall under planned/approved area and 75 per cent area is unplanned and unauthorised...Out of this 25 per cent, people later carry out more construction which is not permissible under law.
— Delhi High Court Bench
The bench comprising Justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdev was hearing a PIL by advocate Arpit Bhargava questioning how safe were the structures in the national capital if an earthquake, like that in Nepal, hits Delhi.
The court has asked the concerned authorities – Centre, Delhi government and municipal bodies – to file reports, before September 23, on the integrity of the buildings knowing that Delhi falls in Seismic Zone IV.
Seismic Zone IV is a high damage risk zone which can expect the second highest level of earthquakes.
In the report, the authorirties will have to mention steps they would take to ensure that Delhi buildings are in comlaince with the National Buuloding Code 2005 for Seismic Zone IV.
(With inputs from PTI)
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