Delhi's paying guest accommodations face critical fire safety shortfall

An audit by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has uncovered alarming safety deficiencies in the city's paying guest accommodations, with only 31 of 2,453 surveyed buildings possessing valid fire safety certificates. The comprehensive review found that the vast majority of PG facilities operate without the legally required No Objection Certificates from fire authorities, raising serious concerns about resident safety and emergency preparedness.

The survey's scope extends beyond fire safety to encompass structural integrity assessments. Just eight buildings among those examined held certificates confirming structural stability, suggesting widespread non-compliance with basic construction and maintenance standards. These figures indicate that most PG operators have not undergone the mandatory inspections required under Delhi's building codes and safety regulations.

Paying guest facilities house a significant portion of Delhi's transient population, including students, young professionals, and migrant workers who often lack awareness of their housing conditions. The safety gaps identified in the MCD survey underscore the need for intensified oversight and enforcement of existing building codes, particularly in densely populated residential areas where PGs are concentrated.

The findings are expected to prompt renewed regulatory action from municipal authorities, who face pressure to bring the sector into compliance before the onset of the monsoon season, when fire hazards and structural vulnerabilities typically increase. Authorities have not yet announced specific timelines for remedial action or penalties for non-compliant facilities.