NDMC orders evacuation of 145 unsafe quarters at Valmiki Sadan, Delhi
Synopsis
The NDMC has ordered 145 families at Valmiki Sadan — some living in blocks built as far back as 1965 — to leave immediately after engineers declared the structures unsafe and beyond economical repair. The order covers eight blocks on Panchkuian Road and underscores the scale of ageing government housing stock in central Delhi.
Key Takeaways
The NDMC has ordered evacuation of 145 Type-I quarters across eight blocks at Valmiki Sadan , Panchkuian Road , New Delhi.
Four blocks were built in 1965–66 (81 quarters) and four in 1985–86 (64 quarters); all declared structurally unsafe and beyond economical repair .
The advisory follows a structural assessment by the NDMC Civil Engineering Department .
No demolition or redevelopment timeline has been announced; residents have been asked to vacate at the earliest.
Separately, NDMC Chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi announced extended midnight operating hours for 11 of 23 PTUs at Connaught Place .
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has directed residents of 145 Type-I quarters spread across eight residential blocks at Valmiki Sadan on Panchkuian Road to vacate their homes immediately, following a structural safety assessment that declared the buildings unfit for habitation. The advisory, issued by the Municipal Housing Department, classifies the structures as beyond economical repair.
Which Buildings Are Affected
The evacuation order covers two sets of blocks. The first group comprises four three-storey blocks constructed between 1965 and 1966, housing quarters numbered G-25 to G-51, F-25 to F-51, and S-25 to S-51 — a total of 81 quarters. The second group consists of four four-storey blocks built between 1985 and 1986, covering Block numbers 1 to 64, totalling 64 quarters.
What the Structural Assessment Found
The NDMC's Civil Engineering Department conducted a comprehensive structural evaluation of the premises. According to the official statement, the identified buildings were found to be structurally unsafe for habitation and no longer viable for repair at an economical cost. The Council described the evacuation advisory as a preventive and precautionary measure, with resident safety cited as the overriding concern.
NDMC's Appeal to Residents
The Council has urged all affected occupants to vacate the quarters at the earliest and to cooperate fully with authorities during the evacuation process. In its statement, the NDMC reaffirmed its commitment to public safety and said it would continue to act in accordance with technical assessments and established safety norms. No timeline for demolition or redevelopment of the blocks has been announced yet.
NDMC Also Extends Connaught Place Toilet Hours
Separately, the NDMC announced an extension of operating hours for 11 of its 23 Public Toilet Utilities (PTUs) at Connaught Place, making them available to the public until midnight. NDMC Chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said the decision was taken given the heavy footfall the area sees during evening and late-night hours from citizens, visitors, and tourists. The extended-hours facilities are located at key points including S.B.S. Marg, Outer Circle, Middle Circle, and Central Park, among others. Dwivedi indicated that more PTUs would be brought under extended operating hours in due course.
The evacuation of Valmiki Sadan adds to a pattern of NDMC-led safety actions targeting ageing residential stock in central Delhi, where several government-allotted quarters date back six decades or more. How quickly residents comply — and what alternative accommodation the Council offers — will determine whether the precautionary measure translates into effective risk mitigation.
Point of View
Residents face an open-ended displacement. The NDMC's statement is silent on alternative accommodation, which is the detail that will matter most to the 145 families now asked to leave. Timely demolition and redevelopment, rather than indefinite advisory notices, is the only credible resolution.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the NDMC asked residents to vacate Valmiki Sadan quarters?
The NDMC ordered the evacuation after its Civil Engineering Department found all eight residential blocks at Valmiki Sadan on Panchkuian Road to be structurally unsafe for habitation and beyond economical repair. The advisory covers 145 Type-I quarters and has been issued as a precautionary public safety measure.
Which blocks and quarters are covered by the NDMC evacuation order?
The order covers four three-storey blocks built in 1965–66, with quarters G-25 to G-51, F-25 to F-51, and S-25 to S-51 (81 quarters total), and four four-storey blocks built in 1985–86, covering Block numbers 1 to 64 (64 quarters). Together they account for 145 quarters across eight blocks.
Has the NDMC offered alternative housing to displaced residents?
The NDMC's statement does not mention any alternative accommodation arrangements. Residents have been asked to vacate at the earliest and cooperate with authorities, but no rehabilitation or rehousing plan has been publicly announced as of the advisory date.
What did the NDMC's structural assessment conclude?
The NDMC's Civil Engineering Department conducted a comprehensive structural assessment and found the identified buildings to be structurally unsafe for habitation and beyond economical repair. This assessment formed the basis for the evacuation advisory issued by the Municipal Housing Department.
What is the NDMC's separate decision about Connaught Place public toilets?
The NDMC has extended operating hours of 11 out of 23 Public Toilet Utilities at Connaught Place until midnight. NDMC Chairman Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said the move was driven by the area's high late-night footfall, and indicated more PTUs would follow under the extended schedule.
