Haryana orders safety audit of buildings showing signs of structural damage

The CM also said directions had been given for a structural audit of the affected towers of Chintels Paradiso to be conducted by IITs or any other reputed government institution, to detect any defects in design or workmanship during construction. “The local administration has been directed to provide alternate temporary re- accommodation to all affected families on an immediate basis as people are scared to stay in this tower,” he said.

The CM added that since some group housing societies in the vicinity have also shown signs of structural damage at an early stage, the DTCP has been directed to identify such buildings based on complaints received from resident welfare associations or any other agency and get their structural audits conducted too.

He said the state government will take strict action against those found guilty. “The DTCP should immediately take action against all directors of Chintels India Limited, Chintels Exports Private Limited, and Chintels India Private Limited, structural engineers, architects and contractors who constructed the residential tower and the resident who had done additional construction work on sixth floor. Directions have been given to register an FIR with immediate effect,” said the CM. “The incident is very unfortunate and the government will ensure such incidents do not happen in future.”

On Sunday, after a detailed report was submitted by the district town planner (DTP) enforcement, R S Bhath, an FIR was registered against the developer, structural engineer, proof consultant, architect, contractor, and an unknown person.

Bhath said, “… As per provision in rules, when an occupation certificate is given, town and country planning department does not conduct an audit and neither structural engineers from government does an audit. In the provisions, a qualified structural engineer has to give a certificate at the time of procuring occupation certificate. In this case, a structural engineer was from IIT-Delhi and another was from IIT-Roorkee, who had several years of experience. They gave a certificate that the building was constructed under their supervision and met the specifications laid down in the National Building Code. We believe that with the mishap occurring, this implies these declarations are fraudulent and hence an FIR has been registered.”

The office of DTP, enforcement, has also written to IIT-Delhi to engage their services for a structural audit and provide technical consultancy services pertaining to structural distress in the society.