The Delhi government has launched a comprehensive structural audit of old government and government-aided school buildings after 108 buildings were identified as unsafe during preliminary inspections.

The initiative aims to evaluate ageing school infrastructure, improve student safety and determine whether buildings require repairs, reconstruction or demolition. Authorities have also assured that students will be shifted to nearby safe campuses whenever necessary to avoid disruptions to academic activities.

108 School Buildings Found Unsafe

A joint preliminary inspection carried out by the Education Department and the Public Works Department (PWD) identified 108 school buildings that require urgent attention.

Among these, 54 buildings were found to be in an extremely dilapidated condition, making them unsafe for continued use.

The government has already started the process of demolishing the most hazardous structures, with seven school buildings expected to be taken down during the first phase of the project.

Comprehensive Structural Audit Ordered

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed the PWD to conduct detailed structural safety assessments of government school buildings constructed during the previous administration as well as older structures built before that period.

The audit will help authorities determine:

• Structural strength of buildings.
• Repair requirements.
• Reconstruction needs.
• Demolition priorities.
• Overall safety standards.

Officials have also submitted proposals to conduct structural audits for 14 additional school buildings.

Digital Profiling of School Infrastructure

As part of a wider school safety programme, the Delhi government plans to introduce digital profiling of school buildings.

The initiative will create a scientific record of each campus by assessing:

• Structural stability.
• Fire safety systems.
• Electrical infrastructure.
• Building condition.
• Other critical safety parameters.

The digital database will enable authorities to monitor school infrastructure regularly and identify maintenance needs before serious risks emerge.

Modern School Buildings Planned

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

In addition, permanent school campuses are proposed on 27 vacant government land parcels to strengthen educational infrastructure across the national capital.

Officials say these projects are intended to provide safer and more durable learning environments for students and teachers.

Students to Be Shifted During Construction

To minimise disruption to academic activities, demolition and reconstruction work will be carried out in phases.

Where required, students will be temporarily relocated to nearby safe school buildings until construction work is completed.

Authorities said this phased approach will help ensure both safety and continuity of education.

Focus on Long-Term School Safety

The structural audit is part of a broader effort to modernise public education infrastructure in Delhi.

Regular safety inspections, digital monitoring and timely maintenance are expected to improve the condition of government schools while reducing future safety risks.

The exercise will also provide the government with detailed information to prioritise repairs, allocate resources and plan future infrastructure upgrades.

Conclusion

Delhi’s decision to conduct a citywide structural audit marks a significant step toward improving the safety of government school infrastructure. With 108 buildings already identified as unsafe, the audit will guide demolition, repairs and reconstruction while ensuring students continue their education in secure environments. The government’s long-term plan to build modern, earthquake-resistant campuses and digitally monitor school buildings is expected to strengthen public education infrastructure across the capital.

---

FAQs

1. Why has Delhi ordered a structural audit of school buildings?

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

2. How many school buildings were declared unsafe?

A preliminary inspection identified 108 school buildings requiring attention.

3. How many buildings are in extremely poor condition?

Officials found 54 buildings to be in an extremely dilapidated condition and requiring urgent action.

4. What will happen to unsafe school buildings?

Depending on their condition, buildings may be repaired, reconstructed or demolished.

5. How many buildings will be demolished first?

The first phase includes the demolition of seven unsafe school buildings.

6. What is digital profiling of school buildings?

It is a system that records structural stability, fire safety, electrical infrastructure and other safety indicators for continuous monitoring.

7. Will students be affected during reconstruction?

Students will be shifted to nearby safe school buildings whenever necessary to ensure uninterrupted education.

8. What type of new buildings will replace unsafe structures?

The government plans to construct modern earthquake-resistant G+4 school buildings.

9. Are new school campuses also being planned?

Yes. The Delhi government plans to develop permanent school campuses on 27 vacant government land parcels.

10. What is the main objective of the structural audit?

The audit aims to improve student and teacher safety by identifying vulnerable school buildings and prioritising repairs, reconstruction and long-term infrastructure upgrades.