3 hrs ago
CIC Urges MCD to Publicize List of Dangerous Buildings
The Central Information Commission looked at a request for information about unsafe buildings.
The request concerned Ward 81 in Quresh Nagar.
Records showed that three buildings were found dangerous between September 2023 and September 2024.
The MCD issued notices related to the buildings, but records of only two Section 348 notices could be found.
It also issued Section 349 notices for all three and 17 advisories about dangerous or repairable buildings.
The CIC said people should be able to find this kind of safety information more easily.
It recommended that the MCD consider putting searchable lists online, while following legal limits on what can be shared.
The CIC also criticized the delay in providing the information.
The CIC recommended that the MCD consider publishing searchable lists of dangerous buildings by zone and ward.
The appeal concerned Ward 81 in Quresh Nagar, where three buildings were recorded as dangerous from September 2023 to September 2024.
Three notices under Section 348 were issued, but records of only two could be traced; Section 349 notices covered all three buildings.
The MCD also issued 17 advisories concerning dangerous or repairable buildings.
The CIC criticized the delay, noting that information was provided only after the appeal reached the Commission and a hearing notice was issued.
- Who
- The Central Information Commission recommended action to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, after an RTI appeal about dangerous buildings.
- What
- The CIC urged the MCD to consider publishing searchable lists of dangerous buildings, related notices and action taken.
- Where
- The appeal concerned Ward 81 in Quresh Nagar, New Delhi.
- When
- The appeal concerned records from September 2023 to September 2024; the report was published on October 5.
- Why
- The CIC said the information directly concerns public safety and could reduce the need for people to seek it through individual RTI applications.
Public Disclosure
Limits and Exemptions
Publishing building safety information
Public Disclosure
The CIC recommended that the MCD consider publishing searchable, ward-wise and zone-wise lists of dangerous buildings, notices and actions to help protect public safety.
Limits and Exemptions
The CIC said any disclosure should remain subject to statutory restrictions and exemptions under the RTI Act; the MCD’s position on the recommendation was not reported.
Key facts
- Recommendation
- The CIC urged the MCD to consider publishing searchable zone-wise and ward-wise information about buildings identified as dangerous.
- Ward examined
- Ward 81, Quresh Nagar
- Period covered
- September 2023 to September 2024
- Buildings identified
- Three buildings were recorded as dangerous.
- Section 348 notices
- Three were issued, but records of only two could be traced.
- Section 349 notices
- Notices were issued in respect of all three buildings.
- Advisories
- Seventeen advisories concerning dangerous or repairable buildings were issued.
- Delay finding
- The CIC said the information was provided only after the appeal reached it and a hearing notice was issued.
Quotes
Central Information Commission
The commission made this observation while recommending public disclosure of dangerous-building information.
“The right to information cannot be rendered ineffective by administrative inaction, inadvertence or lack of coordination between different departments of a public authority.”
theprint.in
“In such matters, a casual approach results in casualties.”
theprint.in
Sources
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