The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has intensified its enforcement drive against unauthorised construction and dangerous buildings, demolishing 41 structures and sealing 61 properties across the city’s 12 zones on Thursday.

The civic body also issued 32 show-cause notices and passed three demolition orders during the latest enforcement action. The drive follows similar action on Wednesday, when 46 properties were demolished and another 20 were sealed for violations of the Master Plan of Delhi and building bye-laws.

In the East Zone, enforcement action was carried out in areas including Khureji Khas, Jagatpuri and Laxmi Nagar. In the West Zone, MCD teams acted against unauthorised structures in Paschim Puri, Madipur, Subhash Nagar, Vipin Garden, Bakkarwala, Nangli Vihar and Nihal Vihar.

At Paschim Puri in Madipur, roof panels on the first, second and third floors were cut down. In Subhash Nagar, a roof panel was removed and a toilet block constructed on the fourth-floor terrace was demolished.

At Som Bazar Road in Vipin Garden, Uttam Nagar, a ground-floor roof panel was demolished. A property near Aakash Vihar on Bakkarwala Road was completely demolished.

Further action was taken in Nangli Vihar, where a roof panel and two first-floor walls were removed. In Nihal Vihar, Nangloi, two slab panels on the fourth floor were demolished.

In the Central Zone, the MCD took action against a G+5 building in Madanpur Khadar Extension. Four panels on the fifth floor were cut down before the building was sealed.

The civic body said several other properties have been identified for enforcement action and warned that its crackdown on unauthorised construction, misuse of properties and dangerous structures would continue in the coming days.

MCD surveys 1,355 PG buildings

Alongside the enforcement drive, the MCD has conducted a large-scale survey of buildings being used for paying guest accommodation across Delhi.

According to the civic body, around 1,355 buildings housing PG facilities have been identified, with approximately 27,000 people living in them.

The survey is intended to create a database of PG accommodations and assess the buildings where they operate. The MCD is expected to use the findings to determine further action and ensure that PG facilities are not being operated from unsafe or unauthorised premises.

54 basement shops sealed in Chandni Chowk

In a separate action, the MCD sealed 54 shops operating illegally from basements in Kucha Mahajani in Chandni Chowk.

The action was carried out on the directions of the Monitoring Committee and the Supreme Court. According to the MCD, the shops were being used for commercial activities in violation of the Unified Building Bye-Laws, 2016, and the Master Plan of Delhi, 2021.

The civic body also cited the absence of mandatory clearances from the Fire Department and other statutory authorities. The 54 shops were sealed under Section 345-A read with Section 347 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act.

The MCD said its enforcement campaign would continue across all 12 zones, with unauthorised construction, misuse of premises and dangerous structures remaining key areas of focus. It said public safety would remain a priority while action is taken against violations of building and planning regulations.

The latest enforcement drive comes days after the September 6 Satya Niketan tragedy, when a five-storey building being used as a boys’ hostel collapsed in the student-dominated locality near Delhi University’s South Campus.

Seven people, including five students and two labourers, were killed in the collapse. The building was located opposite Sri Venkateswara College and was being used to accommodate students.

TTV Dhinakaran has strongly criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK chief Vijay over the controversy surrounding a jaw gesture made by Vijay in the state Assembly. Dhinakaran said Vijay may be a hero in films but described him as a “villain in real life”.

The remarks came amid a political row over Vijay’s gesture, which was interpreted by the DMK as a reference to MK Stalin’s jaw injury. Vijay has denied that the gesture was intentional and described his body language as an “accidental expression”.

Dhinakaran criticised Vijay’s conduct and said his words and body language indicated that he was not the person many people might have perceived him to be through his film career.

The AMMK chief said, “Vijay is a hero only in films. In real life, he is a big villain.”

He also accused Vijay of being self-centred and alleged that he could sacrifice others for his own interests. These were Dhinakaran’s political comments and allegations against the TVK chief.

The controversy began after Vijay made a gesture during proceedings in the Tamil Nadu Assembly that was interpreted as a reference to MK Stalin’s jaw injury.

Vijay later clarified that his body language was accidental and said the gesture was not intentional. However, the clarification did not end the controversy, with opposition from DMK leaders and other political figures continuing.

MK Stalin responded to the controversy by recalling his experience during the Emergency.

Stalin said he was arrested in 1976 after the DMK government led by M Karunanidhi was dismissed during the Emergency. He recalled alleged custodial violence and said his jawbone was broken during an assault in prison.

Stalin also rejected Vijay’s explanation and referred to the gesture pointing towards his jaw. He asked Vijay to learn about the history of Tamil Nadu and the DMK.

The controversy has also drawn criticism from leaders associated with Vijay’s political allies.

VCK chief Thirumavalavan and CPM state chief Shanmugam reportedly described the gesture as “body-shaming” and “irresponsible”.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has targeted the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government over the state’s drug problem and announced a statewide Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra from September 18 to 30.

Chadha alleged that drugs continue to remain easily available in Punjab, including through what he described as “home delivery”. He said the yatra would begin from four different locations across the state and would focus on the BJP’s roadmap to make Punjab drug-free.

Raghav Chadha targets Punjab government over drugs

Chadha questioned the Punjab government’s claim of having curbed the drug menace in the state. His remarks came in the context of the recent death of Gulzar Singh, who had reportedly raised concerns about the worsening drug situation.

Chadha alleged that Singh faced pressure and harassment after raising the issue and that this drove him to take his own life. These were allegations made by Chadha and should not be treated as established findings unless confirmed by the investigation.

Chadha also alleged that a BJP delegation was stopped from meeting Gulzar Singh’s family and offering condolences. He further claimed that drugs continued to be available through home delivery in Punjab.

Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra to begin September 18

The Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra will be held from September 18 to 30, according to Chadha.

He said the yatra would start from four different locations in Punjab. During the campaign, the BJP plans to present its detailed roadmap and strategy for making the state drug-free.

The announcement comes as the drug issue becomes an increasingly important political issue ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. The BJP is seeking to make the issue a major campaign point against the Mann government.

Chadha questions AAP’s claim on drug control

Taking aim at the AAP government, Chadha said Punjab had reached a situation where people were allegedly standing in queues for drugs in a manner comparable to queues for ration.

He questioned how the government could claim that the drug menace had been eliminated while making these allegations about continued drug availability.