New Delhi: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has initiated measures against unsafe buildings that are over 50 years old in Lutyens’ Delhi, leading to the evacuation of residential complexes at Pandara Park and Prithvi Raj Lane recently.The authority has now issued notices to Palika Dham residents to vacate their premises due to safety concerns. Officials said that the Palika Dham complex, built in 1974, is a brick masonry structure and requires evacuation, according to a structural analysis report. The residents have been given 15 days to comply.TOI visited the above sites and found the majority of flats vacated at Pandara Park and Prithvi Raj Lane. The occupants were shifted to Jor Bagh and neighbouring areas. Circulars were also pasted on the display boards, which specified that due to the deteriorating and dangerous condition of the quarters, the structures had been declared unsafe.“We found these complexes unsafe six months ago on the basis of a ground survey and immediately issued notices to the occupants. They were later allotted houses by a draw of lots,” an official said.However, at Palika Dham, the RWA and residents have opposed the decision, and except for 10-15 vacated Type I flats, the rest were still occupied. Residents suspect NDMC’s intention is to construct Type 3 or 4 high-rise buildings, which would minimise their chances of returning to the location. The RWA contends that the complex only requires repairs, suggesting that the evacuation notice was a ploy to clear the site.The RWA members claimed that they had spoken to an NDMC member and officials on this matter on Monday and residents are unlikely to be shifted from this site.Raju Dakolia, president of the Palika Dham NDMC staff quarters, had said earlier that there were several buildings in the area which were constructed 50 or more years ago, and none of these was declared dangerous. “There is Balmiki Sadan, Connaught Place, and even commercial complexes constructed in 1935 or later. But these are operating fine. At our complex, there are some seepage issues, but that can be rectified through detailed repair work. The project has been taken up just to get the site vacated, but we will not leave this place,” he said. Dakolia added that the issue has been discussed in detail with NDMC representatives. NDMC officials, however, denied having any conversation and claimed that the site will be vacated on due date as the structures have been declared unsafe.Rahul, who uses only his first name, said that several repairs were done in the area in 2012, including the laying of interlocking tiles and plastering of the Baraat Ghar. “We have our jobs close to this place, and our children studying in neighbourhood schools. Shifting to other places will affect our daily life,” he said.The administration is offering alternative accommodation in Type 2 flats at Sarojini Nagar and Lodhi Road to 150 employees currently residing in Type 1 flats and working in the sanitation and health departments of NDMC.In a circular issued on Wednesday, NDMC’s housing department stated that the allotment of Type II accommodations to all eligible allottees or employees of the Palika Dham Complex will be done as per the seniority list by a designated committee on July 30 at the convention centre. “All eligible occupants are directed to be present for a free, fair and transparent shifted allotment to a new location. 100% availability of occupants is solicited as no complaints regarding relocation will be entertained later,” the circular said.An NDMC official added that it places the highest priority on the safety and welfare of its employees. “After a detailed structural assessment, these were declared unsafe for habitation despite regular maintenance of these flats being carried out by NDMC. Employees are offered new, suitable and more spacious alternative accommodations. Once vacated, the architect department will take call on redeveloping the place as multi- storey structures,” said the official.