DDA Orders Structural Audits for Pre-2001 High-Rises

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has directed owners of certain older buildings to conduct mandatory structural safety audits.

The order covers all high-rise buildings measuring 15 metres or above that were sanctioned before March 21, 2001.

The directive also applies to buildings below 15 metres that were sanctioned before the same date and experience high footfall.

Owners or occupiers will be responsible for the cost of the structural assessment.

Three-Month Deadline for Structural Audits

According to a public notice issued by the DDA on September 24, the required structural safety audits must be completed within three months.

The requirement covers several types of properties. These include group housing societies, educational institutions, hospitals, malls and other institutional buildings that fall within the conditions specified in the notice.

The directive comes amid concerns about the safety of ageing buildings. The report refers to incidents such as the Satya Niketan building collapse, which claimed seven lives.

Retrofitting Required Where Necessary

After the structural assessment is completed, building owners will have to undertake retrofitting and other corrective measures wherever they are found to be necessary.

The DDA has also clarified that retrofitting a building will not be treated as deemed sanction or regularisation of unauthorised construction.

It will also not regularise unauthorised use of the building.

The DDA has warned that failure to comply with the structural audit requirement will invite action against the building owners.

Who Can Conduct the Audit?

The structural safety audits can be conducted by structural engineers empanelled with municipal corporations, government agencies or government institutes, according to the DDA notice.

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The fees and other costs related to the structural audit will be borne by the building owners or occupiers.

Buildings Covered by the DDA Directive

The order focuses on buildings sanctioned before March 21, 2001. High-rise buildings of 15 metres or more are covered by the directive.

Older buildings below 15 metres are also included when they witness high footfall.

This means the requirement extends beyond residential high-rises to properties such as hospitals, educational institutions, malls and other institutional buildings covered by the specified conditions.

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DDA Requires Safety Assessment of Older Buildings

The directive places responsibility on owners and occupiers to arrange structural safety assessments within the three-month period.

Where structural concerns are identified, the required corrective work must also be undertaken.

The DDA's notice therefore links structural assessment with corrective action for eligible older buildings.

Owners must engage authorised structural engineers, complete the audit within the specified period and follow the measures identified as necessary after the assessment.

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