Odisha Bhawan in New Delhi Declared Structurally Unsafe, Set for Demolition

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has declared Odisha Bhawan in New Delhi structurally unsafe and authorised its dismantling by the Works Department. The decision follows a directive from the Chief Architect, Department of Architecture & Environs, New Delhi Municipal Council, issued on June 29, 2020, for a Structural Safety Audit of government buildings to ensure seismic compliance in Delhi.

As per the Works Department, a Structural Safety Audit of three Odisha government buildings in New Delhi—Odisha Bhawan, Odisha Niwas, and Odisha Sadan—was conducted. On April 19, 2022, the OSD Chief Engineer reported that Odisha Bhawan was unfit for long-term use and recommended its demolition within two to three years.

Subsequently, on August 28, 2024, the Chief Engineer-cum-Additional Secretary of the Works Department confirmed that Odisha Bhawan was beyond repair and unsafe for habitation. The state government has now authorised its dismantling, marking the end of the building’s use.