The recent fire at a bed and breakfast in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi, which resulted in 21 fatalities, has brought attention to 'Lal Dora' zones. These areas, established in the early 20th century, operate outside standard construction regulations, leading to safety hazards due to unplanned development.

• 01'Lal Dora' zones in Delhi are areas where standard building regulations do not fully apply, allowing for unregulated construction.
• 02The term originates from a British-era land classification system in 1908, marked by red ink on maps to distinguish residential settlements from agricultural land.
• 03Approximately 360 villages in Delhi are classified as 'Lal Dora', where relaxed rules have led to narrow streets and inadequate safety measures.
• 04The Malviya Nagar fire highlighted the dangers of these zones, as the lack of emergency access and safety features contributed to the high casualty rate.
• 05Many buildings in 'Lal Dora' areas lack basic fire compliance systems, making them vulnerable during emergencies.

The Malviya Nagar fire has raised urgent concerns about safety regulations in 'Lal Dora' zones, prompting calls for better urban planning and enforcement of building codes.