The Gurugram district administration has issued directives to the builders of 23 high-rise buildings for structural safety audits. The builders have been instructed to submit their building plans to auditing agencies within a week. The administration has made it clear that if structural defects are found during the audit and repairs are needed, the cost will be shared equally between the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) and the builder. This initiative comes after visual inspections of 55 societies in Gurugram revealed 23 buildings with structural issues. The district administration is prioritizing the safety of residents in multi-story buildings and taking proactive steps to address potential risks.
The Gurugram district administration has issued directives to the builders of 23 high-rise buildings that are slated for structural safety audits. According to officials familiar with the matter, these builders have been instructed to submit their building plans to the relevant auditing agencies within a week to expedite the audit process.
In addition to this, the administration has made it clear that if any structural defects are identified during the audit and repairs are required, the cost will be divided equally between the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) and the builder. These directives were issued during a meeting on the subject of structural safety audits for high-rise buildings in Gurugram, led by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Hitesh Kumar Meena.
ADC Meena emphasized that ensuring the safety of residents in multi-story buildings is a top priority for the district administration, and they will not tolerate any lapses or delays in this regard. The safety of high-rise structures is paramount, and the administration is taking proactive steps to address any potential risks.
The process began with a visual inspection of 55 societies in Gurugram. During these inspections, the buildings were carefully examined for signs of damage, including issues such as cracks in columns, walls, and slabs, as well as visible defects like peeling plaster and seepage problems. Out of these 55 high-rise buildings, 23 housing societies were identified as having structural issues that require a detailed structural safety audit.
ADC Meena stressed the importance of timely cooperation from the builders in submitting their building plans to initiate the audit process promptly. He warned that appropriate action would be taken if these directions were not followed.
Furthermore, ADC Meena clarified that those individuals who had purchased flats but had not taken possession would be responsible for covering the expenses related to any necessary repairs in their flats. On the other hand, the builders would be liable for the repair expenses of unsold flats.
The safety audits will be conducted by four agencies that were previously empanelled by the administration for the first phase of audits in the previous year. These agencies include Bureau Veritas, TPC Technical Projects Consultants, Vintech Consultants, and NNC Design International.
During the safety audit, a comprehensive evaluation of the building's overall condition will be conducted. This includes scrutinizing aspects such as plastering quality, water leakage and seepage issues, dampness in water tanks, and the presence of cracks in various structural elements like beams, basement, and slabs.
The district administration's efforts to identify and address unsafe buildings have gained momentum since the tragic tower collapse at the Chintels Paradiso housing complex in February 2022. This incident resulted in a floor at a higher level of the tower collapsing onto lower floors, leading to the unfortunate deaths of two women. Consequently, the administration is taking a proactive stance to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of high-rise residents in Gurugram.
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