40 yrs old, 'illegal' work, waterlogged basement: The many holes in Satya Niketan's PG

Investigators are probing potential illegal construction work that may have contributed to the collapse of the building in Satya Niketan. During initial inquiries, it was noted that the basement frequently flooded, which could have weakened the structure. The MCD is looking into the matter, and the building owner, contractor, and laborers are expected to be interrogated. It's unclear whether the owner obtained proper permission for the construction or if it was carried out illegally in collusion with local authorities.

Mayor Pravesh Wahi, who inspected the site, confirmed that the building was over four decades old. It consists of two rooms on each floor in a ground-plus-four-storey structure. Wahi stated that MCD's primary focus is the rescue operation. The exact cause of the collapse is still unclear, as the entire structure was buried under debris.

However, MCD officials have reported that the building does not have a record of booking or sealing and no complaints were received concerning any work in this property. Furthermore, the building violates the prescribed height limit.

The MCD is examining the possibility of recent digging or structural work in the basement or ground floor due to the heavy rain. The building owner, who resides in Gurgaon, operates another property in the area. An official from the MCD mentioned negligence on the owner's part, as the neighboring building was also found to have structural deficiencies, including the absence of a proper beam structure.

Consequently, the neighboring building has been vacated and will be demolished on Monday, with residents being relocated to a nearby community hall. Former DFS director Atul Garg pointed out that the building was constructed for residential purposes but was later used for commercial purposes, which might have led to the violation of rules.