Archive · 6 Oct 2026
MCD Seeks Rs 60 Crore Grant to Curb Illegal Construction
The MCD wants more money from the Delhi government to help stop illegal building work.
It is asking for Rs 60 crore each year.
Some of the money would pay for drone surveys every three months.
The surveys would help spot new construction in unauthorised colonies.
The rest would pay for 21 teams with machines and workers to enforce building rules.
The MCD says it began surveying 1,511 colonies in April.
Some colonies were left out because they are near restricted airport areas.
The report also says only two of seven direct applications to regularise built-up areas have been approved.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has sought Rs 60 crore annually from the Delhi government, citing a shortage of funds.
The proposal allocates Rs 7 crore yearly for quarterly drone mapping and Rs 53 crore for dedicated enforcement cells.
The MCD began high-precision 3-D drone surveys in April across 1,511 PM-UDAY colonies, excluding 236 near restricted airport zones.
The planned 21 enforcement cells would operate across 12 zones and use heavy machinery and specialised labour.
The MCD reported seven applications for built-up-area regularisation, with two approved; 109 of 121 architect-submitted applications were pending.
- Who
- The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has requested funding from the Delhi government.
- What
- It seeks an annual Rs 60 crore grant for drone mapping and 21 enforcement cells to curb illegal construction.
- When
- The proposal was passed as a business item at an MCD House meeting on September 30; the report was dated October 6.
- Where
- Across unauthorised colonies and the MCD's 12 zones in Delhi.
- Why
- The MCD cited a paucity of funds and aims to detect and act against illegal construction.
- Annual grant sought
- Rs 60 crore
- Drone mapping and related support
- Rs 7 crore annually: Rs 5.50 crore for mapping and Rs 1.50 crore for data storage and analytical support
- Enforcement expenditure
- Rs 53 crore annually; estimated monthly operational cost is Rs 4.39 crore
- Planned enforcement cells
- 21 dedicated cells across 12 zones
- Survey coverage
- 1,511 PM-UDAY colonies; 236 colonies in restricted Delhi and Hindon airport influence zones excluded
- Colonies in the 2019 regulations
- 1,731 originally notified; 147 excluded, 49 proposed for deletion, and boundary data for 24 remains non-traceable
- Regularisation applications
- Seven direct applications received, two approved; 121 applications submitted through empanelled architects, 109 pending