Delhi’s Illegal Buildings Keep Collapsing, Says Former DDA Planner

Several illegal structures in Delhi collapsed or caught fire this year, leaving a death toll of several people. The incidents have drawn attention to the city’s sprawling unplanned neighborhoods where millions live without proper approvals. Retired Delhi Development Authority planning commissioner Ashok Kumar Jain attributes the recurring failures to weak enforcement of building rules and a chaotic urban layout. Jain, who recently released the book “Mapping Delhi’s Past, Present and Future,” says the DDA’s current framework cannot cope with the rapid, unregulated growth in the capital. He points out that many developers bypass permits, use substandard materials, and ignore safety norms to meet the demand for cheap housing. The lack of regular inspections allows unsafe structures to rise unnoticed until a collapse or fire occurs. Jain warns that without a comprehensive overhaul of planning procedures, similar tragedies will continue. He calls for stricter verification of construction plans, real‑time monitoring of sites, and harsher penalties for violations. The official response from the DDA has not yet detailed specific reforms, but the authority acknowledges the need to tighten oversight. Residents in the affected areas have voiced fear and frustration, demanding immediate action to protect their lives. ## Context The pattern of building collapses reflects a broader issue in Indian cities where rapid urbanisation outpaces regulatory capacity, leading to unsafe living conditions in informal settlements.