NEW DELHI: In one month,
seven complaints of buildings tilting dangerously have been received in
east Delhi, reviving fears of a Lalita Park-like disaster. On Tuesday, a
recently constructed house on a 40-square yard plot in Rani Garden - an
unauthorized colony opposite Lalita Park - tilted by almost 2.5 inches. The five-storey structure didn't have a sanctioned building plan.
The owner of the property, Anant Jain, told TOI: "Small cracks keep developing in the buildings and we will use cement to fill them. When two buildings are constructed close to each other, it usually happens. There is nothing to worry about." Asked about the building plan, he said, "It's no secret that buildings are constructed in this area without the sanctioning of building plans. Nobody ever gets it done."
SDM of the area, Sandeep Gulati, and his team inspected the property. "We inspected the site on Wednesday and have written a letter to East Corporation to take action," said Gulati. But the municipal corporation puts the onus of keeping a check on unauthorized construction on the SDM. "These colonies come under the SDM, and they can take action individually as well. But so many times, the SDM doesn't forward us the complaints, which leads to such mishaps," said a senior corporation official.
Last month, three buildings collapsed in the area but the civic agencies are unable to check the rampant illegal construction in colonies lining the Yamuna bank. In 2010, Lalita Park made headlines due to a building collapse that claimed 70 lives. As per National Crime Records Bureau's last released figures for unnatural accidents, out of 53 cities, Delhi has experienced maximum damage by collapse of structures. In 2011, 68 cases of structure collapse were reported in which 60 people died and 75 were injured. This raises the question whether Delhi is ready for vertical growth. "The buildings are so high that they don't allow sunlight to touch the ground. The area is deprived of civic amenities but the real estate business is thriving. The corporation needs to shape up. Last week, in Lalita Park, which is some metres away from Jheel area, a building tilted but the corporation took timely action and sealed the building," said BS Vohra of East Delhi RWAs Front.
After the building collapse in 2010, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the National Institute of Disaster Management ( NIDM) had carried out a large-scale survey in trans-Yamuna areas to identify structurally weak buildings. But apart from conducting surveys of dangerous buildings in the capital, the civic agencies have done little to ensure the safety of buildings in the area. After the collapse in 2010, the erstwhile MCD and the new East Corporation have taken action against 94 properties till date. Rampant illegal construction has not only added to congestion but also made old structures more vulnerable. The walls of many houses have developed deep cracks and their foundations have become weak. But the corporation officials say even they are helpless due to acute staff crunch at the supervisory level.
The owner of the property, Anant Jain, told TOI: "Small cracks keep developing in the buildings and we will use cement to fill them. When two buildings are constructed close to each other, it usually happens. There is nothing to worry about." Asked about the building plan, he said, "It's no secret that buildings are constructed in this area without the sanctioning of building plans. Nobody ever gets it done."
SDM of the area, Sandeep Gulati, and his team inspected the property. "We inspected the site on Wednesday and have written a letter to East Corporation to take action," said Gulati. But the municipal corporation puts the onus of keeping a check on unauthorized construction on the SDM. "These colonies come under the SDM, and they can take action individually as well. But so many times, the SDM doesn't forward us the complaints, which leads to such mishaps," said a senior corporation official.
Last month, three buildings collapsed in the area but the civic agencies are unable to check the rampant illegal construction in colonies lining the Yamuna bank. In 2010, Lalita Park made headlines due to a building collapse that claimed 70 lives. As per National Crime Records Bureau's last released figures for unnatural accidents, out of 53 cities, Delhi has experienced maximum damage by collapse of structures. In 2011, 68 cases of structure collapse were reported in which 60 people died and 75 were injured. This raises the question whether Delhi is ready for vertical growth. "The buildings are so high that they don't allow sunlight to touch the ground. The area is deprived of civic amenities but the real estate business is thriving. The corporation needs to shape up. Last week, in Lalita Park, which is some metres away from Jheel area, a building tilted but the corporation took timely action and sealed the building," said BS Vohra of East Delhi RWAs Front.
After the building collapse in 2010, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the National Institute of Disaster Management ( NIDM) had carried out a large-scale survey in trans-Yamuna areas to identify structurally weak buildings. But apart from conducting surveys of dangerous buildings in the capital, the civic agencies have done little to ensure the safety of buildings in the area. After the collapse in 2010, the erstwhile MCD and the new East Corporation have taken action against 94 properties till date. Rampant illegal construction has not only added to congestion but also made old structures more vulnerable. The walls of many houses have developed deep cracks and their foundations have become weak. But the corporation officials say even they are helpless due to acute staff crunch at the supervisory level.
with thanks : Times of India : LINK
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