India Considers 'Durability Certificate' for Buildings Amid Safety Concerns

The Centre is considering introducing a ‘durability certificate’ for buildings amid growing concerns over unsafe construction and structural safety. Union housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal on Thursday said that the proposal comes after recent instances where courts ordered the demolition of buildings found to be unsafe and unfit for occupation. He also urged builders to voluntarily adopt the certification practice to improve construction quality and ensure safer housing. The move comes at a time when concerns over building safety and unauthorised constructions have come under spotlight. Earlier this month, a court-appointed amicus curiae approached the Supreme Court seeking a series of directions, including a request for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to file an affidavit detailing surveys conducted and action taken against illegal and unauthorised constructions across the national capital. The plea followed the collapse of an allegedly illegally constructed five-storey building in Delhi's Saidulajab area on May 30, an incident that left six people dead and at least 14 injured. The issue of unauthorised constructions has also been under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court. Earlier this year, a bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan expressed serious concern over widespread violations of building regulations. The bench made these remarks while hearing a matter from Tamil Nadu, also noting the alleged failure of municipal authorities to curb unauthorised constructions. The bench also ordered a pan-India inquiry into the misuse of residential properties and illegal land-use conversions. Meanwhile, back in March, the Allahabad High Court directed the eviction of tenants from a dilapidated building in Varanasi,after it partially collapsed in 2025, which caused damage. The building is now slated for demolition under the court's orders.