The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) has deemed Tower C of Chintels Paradiso unsafe for habitation following a structural analysis. This marks the seventh of the nine towers in the condominium to be declared unfit, after a vertical collapse of living rooms in February 2022 resulted in the deaths of two residents. CBRI's investigation revealed significant structural issues, including severe corrosion from high chloride levels and poor-quality concrete, which are consistent with the problems found in the other towers deemed unfit.

Tower C, which contains a total of 64 flats with 60 currently occupied, has been declared unsafe for habitation. Previously, IIT Delhi, which was brought in to investigate after the collapse in Tower D, had declared towers D, E, F, G, H, and J unsafe. IIT Delhi's report had initially deemed Towers A, B, and C as safe, though it warned of potential future deterioration. Following these findings, the district administration has also declared the six unsafe towers as unfit for habitation and has ordered their demolition, set to begin this November.

Following IIT Delhi's report, Chintels India commissioned a structural audit of all towers through CBRI to evaluate their condition and consider renovation options. CBRI's recent report to Chintels revealed that nearly all structural components of Tower C show severe corrosion, which undermines the tower's stability. The CBRI report indicated that the rapid deterioration of Tower C was mainly due to the presence of chloride ions in the concrete, which accelerates corrosion, and the use of poor-quality concrete, which heightens carbonation. These factors contribute to the building's non-compliance with Indian standards, especially considering its location in seismic zone IV.

The institute cautioned that repair, retrofitting, and rehabilitation efforts would not be sufficient to ensure the long-term safety of the structure. The report also highlighted that the cost of these interventions would exceed 50% of the original construction cost, rendering retrofitting economically impractical. It noted that even with extensive repairs, the structure would likely continue to deteriorate rapidly, making it unsafe for extended habitation.

In light of these findings, CBRI strongly advised the demolition of Tower C. The report suggested that reconstruction would be a more viable option, as the existing building cannot be reliably made safe for its intended design life of 50 years. A spokesperson for the developer mentioned that they were reviewing the CBRI report and planned to forward it to the district administration. They also noted that a similar offer would be extended to the residents of Tower C as was done for the residents of the other towers.

Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav indicated that they had not yet received the CBRI report. He added that once the report was received, it would be studied and appropriate action would be taken. Regarding the buyback offer for residents of towers D, E, F, G, and H, the developer would pay Rs. 6,500 per square foot and reimburse the actual stamp duty paid by flat owners, along with the cost of renovation as evaluated by independent government-appointed evaluators.

For the reconstruction option, flat owners who choose not to accept the buyback offer will need to pay Rs. 1,000 per square foot in four instalments: 40% at the start of construction, 30% upon completion of the basic structure, 20% when occupation certificates are applied for, and the remaining 10% upon possession offer. The developer aims to complete the reconstruction within 42 months, with an additional six-month grace period from the start of construction. Towers D, E, F, G, and H were part of the first phase of the project, while Towers A, B, C, and J were launched in the second phase.

On February 10, 2022, the floor of a drawing room on the sixth floor of Tower D collapsed to the first floor, resulting in the deaths of two women. Recently, the Department of Town and Country Planning's (DTCP) enforcement wing issued notices to the residents of Tower J, demanding that they vacate the building within 10 days, or they would be held accountable for any damage resulting from potential incidents. The action followed an order from the deputy commissioner, who had mandated the evacuation of the tower due to safety concerns.

The district town planner (enforcement) also directed the developer to ensure that the flats were vacated by the allottees promptly. Towers D through H have already been evacuated. DC Yadav had established a deadline of August 22 for the complete evacuation of Tower J. He warned that failure to comply could pose a significant risk of disaster, and the administration was prepared to take legal action against the residents under the Disaster Management Act.

In conclusion, The CBRI's findings highlight critical safety concerns at Chintels Paradiso, necessitating demolition and reconstruction for long-term safety. The developer's responses and administrative actions reflect a commitment to addressing these serious issues, though challenges remain in ensuring safe and timely resolution for all affected residents.