Delhi to Audit All Government School Buildings After 108 Found Unsafe

The Delhi government has ordered a comprehensive structural audit of all old government and government-aided school buildings after identifying 108 school buildings as unsafe and hazardous. The initiative aims to assess ageing infrastructure, improve student safety and prioritise the repair, reconstruction or demolition of structurally weak buildings across the national capital.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to conduct detailed safety inspections of school buildings constructed during the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government as well as older structures.

108 school buildings identified as unsafe

According to a preliminary inspection conducted by the Education Department and the PWD, 108 government and government-aided school buildings require urgent attention.

Of these, 54 buildings have been found to be in an extremely dilapidated condition and are considered unsafe for continued use.

The Delhi government has initiated plans to demolish these structures, with seven school buildings expected to be demolished during the first phase of the project.

Structural audit to cover old school infrastructure

The citywide audit will examine the structural condition of ageing school buildings to determine whether they require repairs, reconstruction or demolition.

Officials said the PWD has also been asked to prepare cost estimates for repairing existing buildings or constructing new ones. In addition, proposals have been submitted for structural audits of 14 more school buildings.

The findings will help the government prioritise redevelopment based on the condition of each campus.

Digital profiling of school buildings planned

As part of a broader school safety initiative, the Delhi government plans to introduce digital profiling of school infrastructure.

The digital database will scientifically assess important safety parameters, including:

• Structural stability
• Fire safety systems
• Electrical infrastructure
• Overall building condition

Officials said regular monitoring through digital profiling will help identify potential risks before they become major safety hazards.

Unsafe buildings to be replaced with modern campuses

The government has announced that unsafe buildings will gradually be replaced with modern earthquake-resistant G+4 school structures.

It also plans to construct permanent school campuses on 27 vacant government land parcels to strengthen educational infrastructure across Delhi.

The reconstruction work will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption to academic activities.

Students studying in buildings identified as unsafe will be shifted to nearby safe school buildings wherever necessary.

Audit follows concerns over construction quality

The decision comes months after reports highlighted cracks and structural deficiencies in several government school buildings, including some reportedly constructed during the previous AAP government's tenure.

The structural audit is intended to identify vulnerable buildings, improve safety standards and create a more secure learning environment for students and teachers.

Focus on safer education infrastructure

The Delhi government's initiative is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of school infrastructure across the city while helping authorities prioritise repairs, reconstruction and new construction based on structural safety.

The audit will also support long-term planning for modernising government schools and ensuring safe educational facilities for future generations.

Key Highlights

• Delhi will conduct a structural audit of all old government and aided school buildings.
• 108 school buildings have been identified as unsafe.
• 54 buildings are in extremely dilapidated condition.
• Seven unsafe buildings will be demolished in the first phase.
• Digital profiling of school infrastructure will monitor structural and safety conditions.
• Unsafe buildings will be replaced with earthquake-resistant G+4 school structures.
• Students will be shifted to nearby safe buildings during reconstruction work.

FAQs

Why is Delhi conducting a structural audit of school buildings?

The audit has been ordered after 108 government and government-aided school buildings were found to be structurally unsafe and hazardous.

How many school buildings have been declared unsafe?

A preliminary inspection identified 108 unsafe school buildings, including 54 buildings that are in an extremely dilapidated condition.

What will happen to unsafe school buildings?

Depending on the audit findings, unsafe buildings will either be repaired, reconstructed or demolished. Seven buildings are scheduled for demolition in the first phase.

What is digital profiling of school buildings?

Digital profiling is a system that will monitor structural stability, fire safety, electrical systems and other safety parameters of school buildings for regular assessment.

Will students be affected during reconstruction?

The government has said students will be shifted to nearby safe buildings wherever required to ensure minimal disruption to academic activities.