City has dismal record of structural safety

NEW DELHI: Two building crashes and the tilting of another building, within a month, highlight Delhi's worrisome record of structural safety. 

 In 2011, 60 people died and 75 were injured in 68 cases of structure collapse here. In a comparison of 53 cities, Delhi suffered the most due to structure collapse, said the National Crime Records Bureau reports. 

Only last week, a building had collapsed in east Delhi's Jheel Khurenja area without causing any casualties. On November 23, a building had tilted in Lalita Park, where 70 people lost their lives in a building collapse in 2010. 

While unauthorized construction is to blame for weak buildings, the civic agencies have failed to check it, especially in colonies lining the Yamuna's bank. "The area is deprived of civic amenities but the real estate business is thriving. The corporation needs to act," said B S Vohra of East Delhi RWAs Front. 

Rampant illegal construction has not only added to congestion but also weakened old structures. The walls of many houses have developed deep cracks and their foundations have become weak. 

Corporation officials say they are helpless due to a shortage of supervisors. "Staff crunch has been a persistent problem with the corporation after trifurcation. The application for recruitment of junior engineers has been pending for over two years. It is impossible for an engineer to keep a check in almost five wards," said S S Yadav, commissioner, East corporation. 

with thanks : Times of India : LINK