NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Monday asked 26 shop owners near Novelty Street Mall to vacate the premises after it found that a few shops were damaged near the spot because of a landslide.

"During inspection of the area around Rangmahal and Tyre Market it was noticed that the road from property number 882 to 906 Tyre Market, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk was damaged. This is due to a landslide due to an ongoing construction site at Novelty Street Mall on SPM Marg," said the notice issued by assistant engineer, maintenance, city, SP zone.

The notice added that during the survey of the property it was noticed that there was apprehension of the building becoming an "eminent danger".

Under section 349 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, the shop owners have been asked to vacate the premises within 24 hours of receiving the notice from the administration. The notices were served on Monday.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said, "It is shocking that due to MCD building department's negligence, the owners of Novelty Street Mall have over-dug the basement in their property, leading to the collapse of roads all around it. This excessive digging by the owners of Novelty Street Mall has put seven buildings at risk, with around 40 shops at the back of the under-construction mall at risk. MCD has issued a notice of vacation to the owners of these shops."

"It may also be noted that if any untoward mishap happens in the shape of building collapse or a portion of the building owners/occupants will themselves be responsible for the same," added the notice.