India Lacks Unified Law to Govern Abandoned and Dangerous Buildings

India has no single comprehensive law to address abandoned properties, resulting in scattered regulations spread across multiple legislative acts. Municipal authorities are empowered to inspect buildings and designate them as dangerous when necessary. Owners of such properties are typically served notices requiring repairs or securing of the premises, with demolition permitted in cases of immediate risk. States like Maharashtra and Delhi have gone further by mandating structural audits for ageing buildings. The absence of a unified framework continues to complicate government efforts to take over or act on long-vacant properties.