Believe it or not, Delhi has just 15 dangerous buildings : TOI

NEW DELHI: Delhi has only 15 dangerous buildings. Yes, if the figures of the annual survey of structurally precarious buildings for 2017, released by the three civic bodies on Monday, are to be believed, there are just 10 unstable buildings in north Delhi, four in east Delhi and a single one under the south corporation's area.

This announcement is incredible, coming ironically just a day after two structure collapses, a four-storey building in east Delhi's Laxmi Nagar and wall in south-west Delhi's Rajokri. The collapses immediately questioned the credibility of the system used by the capital's civic bodies in identifying and dealing with structurally unstable buildings. This annual exercise is conducted by the engineering departments of the corporations three months before the onset of monsoon. In this year's survey, over 4.2 lakh houses were inspected by the north body, 3.17 lakh by the east and over 8.2 lakh houses by the south corporation.

Of the 10 dangerous buildings reported by the north corporation, seven are in Sadar Paharganj zone, two in Karol Bagh and one in Old Delhi. East has reported two structures each in Shahdara North and South, though two of them are considered to be in reparable state. The south body found only one building beyond repair, in Vikaspuri. RWAs termed the findings as "bunkum". Chetan Sharma, chairman, Federation of GK-2 RWAs, tartly remarked, "These reports are created sitting in office." 

BS Vohra, president, East Delhi RWAs Joint Front, likewise insisted that the data couldn't be correct. "You cannot identify dangerous buildings by merely looking at them," he said. "We require technological up gradation and strict oversight."

Defending the findings of the survey, officials from the corporations said that the "junior engineers who carry out these exercises use 'visual survey' to identify such structures". As one explained, "In the field, if engineers see structures that are bent or show cracks, then they inspect the structure from the interior. The owner is then given a notice to have the building repaired. If he/she does not comply, we demolish the structure."

The question is whether that is adequate given so many lives are at risk. Requesting anonymity, some engineering department officials admitted that the current methodology of determining unstable buildings was obsolete.

with thankks : Times of India : LINK

Crime rising, east Delhi traders hit road : Times of India

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Stop Traffic, Claim Police Won’t Take Action Against Criminals Unless Paid Bribes

Dwaipayan Ghosh | TNN

New Delhi: A day after a 29-yearold jeweller was murdered by four armed assailants inside his shop during a robbery in Krishna Nagar, east Delhi, RWAs and trader associations hit the road, protesting against the police inability to protect them. The traders shut down all shops in the Lal Quarter area for the entire day. 

    “We blocked traffic on Road 57 (Karkardooma Court-Anand Vihar route) and sought alms from the people so that we can provide the money to the police. Until we grease their palms, they will not protect us,’’ said Sandip Kapoor, secretary of the Krishna Nagar Residents Welfare Association. The RWA claimed they collected Rs 500 by the evening. 

    As a result of the protest, traffic between Shahdara in northeast Delhi and Anand Vihar in east Delhi came to a standstill for over three-and-a-half hours. The effect was felt on Seelampur approach road and the Karkardooma crossing clogged even as cops diverted vehicles through other roads. Schoolchildren, returning home, suffered worst of the jams and Times City saw at least three school buses stuck on the road. 

 

    Locals said there is spurt in crime in the area. “Chain snatchings are a daily affair. Recently, there were three big robberies at Son Bazar, Jheel Kuranji and near Guddu Bakery. The owner of Gambhir Medical was shot at by unidentified assailants inside his shop in Jagatpuri. Khandelwal Medical Store was looted. My house has seen two burglaries in the last seven days. And people tell of a few criminals riding a black Pulsar who have struck four times in the past few days near Cross River Mall in Anand Vihar,” said B S Vohra, president of the east district RWA joint front. 

 

    On Thursday, a curfew like situation prevailed inside Krishna Nagar. With cops cracking down on two-wheelers, vendors and even rickshawpullers, Lal Quarters — usually bustling with energy — looked like a ghost town. Over 500 people had gathered outside the Gambhir residence. On Road 57 near Swarn cinema another 250 protestors kept traffic at bay. 

    A few metres ahead, cops from three police stations — Geeta Colony, Farsh Bazar and Krishna Nagar —kept a close watch. “We are not going to push things. Our investigation has proved that the accused knew their way through the narrow bylanes of Krishna Nagar. We are trying to find out the route taken by the accused. Their modus operandi hints at involvement of a couple of gangs who were active here earlier. We do not want to divulge the details right now,” said DCP (east) O P Mishra. 

    The police said they were investigating if the beat policing needs a change. “We are mulling ID cards for all outsiders who plan to enter this area. All two-wheelers will be checked and movement of those who have come out of jails recently will be checked. We will advise jewellers to put up CCTV cameras and locks to ensure their safety. Police will meet RWAs and traders associations in the coming days,’’ said Mishra. The probe of Gambhir’s murder case has been handed over to the special staff. Police sources said the SHO of Krishna Nagar might be suspended after being sent to the police lines.

UP IN ARMS: Traffic was badly affected in east Delhi due to the agitation by traders and other residents of Krishna Nagar.

with thanks : Times of  India : link above for Online edition of TOI.

Though i have been misquoted.

B S Vohra

President

East Delhi RWAs Joint Front