New Delhi: The Delhi Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) has directed all Cooperative Group Housing Societies (CGHS) in the capital to carry out an immediate and comprehensive safety audit of their buildings and common facilities.
Through a circular, the RCS has instructed managing committees to examine the structural condition of their buildings, with particular attention to major cracks, seepage, water leakage, damage to roofs and external walls, staircases and other conditions that could pose a risk to residents.
The safety review must also cover essential fire and building safety systems. Societies have been directed to verify the validity of their Fire Safety Certificates/NOCs, inspect fire-fighting equipment and ensure that required safety installations are operational.
In addition, managing committees must check lift inspection and safety certificates and ensure that lifts are being properly maintained and remain safe for use.
The RCS has instructed societies to immediately report any serious structural or safety deficiency that could pose an imminent threat to life or property to the competent authority. Necessary corrective measures must also be initiated without delay.
The circular refers to Rule 106 of the Delhi Cooperative Societies Rules, 2007, under which managing committees are responsible for ensuring regular inspection, repair and maintenance of cooperative housing society properties.
All societies have been given three weeks to submit their compliance reports to the Delhi RCS.
The directive places renewed emphasis on the responsibility of cooperative housing societies to maintain safe residential infrastructure and ensure that essential safety systems remain functional and compliant with applicable requirements.