Faultlines in the Foundation

Originally a conglomerate of 289 villages, Delhi still continues with the age-old 'Laldora' concept initiated during the British era

- RANJAN MUKHERJEE

Every now and then, there is a report of a building collapse in some unauthorized colony or the other in Delhi. Disasters such as these—besides fire, waterlogging, floods, electrocution deaths, etc.—are erratic but frequent in the national capital. The reasons are, mainly, rampant and unmanageable illegal constructions flouting all possible building construction regulations, including the most important structural safety norms.

To cater to the ever-increasing demand for housing in the capital city, the building mafia has been on overdrive for the past couple of decades and has continued with illegal constructions in every possible nook and corner of the city, with scant respect even for ASI-protected monuments spread across the length and breadth of Delhi. It has also stressed other associated resources. There is an increased volume of vehicles, which Delhi roads are unable to handle. Resultant pollution is detrimental to human health, along with the ever-increasing demand for water and electricity to accommodate a huge number of people who flock here in search of better economic opportunities.

On average, 7-8 lakh people per year come and settle in Delhi from neighboring countries besides various Indian states. Encroachment of government land, plus illegal constructions with help from local land pimps under the patronage of local politicians and in connivance with corrupt municipal officials, has turned the capital into an unliveable ticking bomb, waiting to explode. Delhi lies in seismic zone IV, which is prone to earthquakes. Any earthquake of a magnitude higher than 6.5 will cause havoc, as several structurally weak buildings will collapse, putting countless lives at risk.