Illegal construction tilts 5-storey house

Residents alerted police and corporation officials,after which the newly constructed building was cordoned off.

Salim,who runs a mutton shop in the area,said his family had been living in the tilted building for years.

“Corporation officials came on Wednesday and left without saying a word. Four families live in this building. We constructed more floors as our families grew. We cannot abandon the building,which tilted because of the newly constructed building,” he said.

Another resident said he had sent a written complaint against illegal construction to corporation engineers on June 2.

“I had brought this to the notice of corporation and police,when the new construction started. Extra floors were built illegally on the tilted building too,which has affected many adjoining buildings,” he said.

It appears that the Building department is yet to learn lessons from the past.

In September last year,at least seven people were killed and 19 injured when an old three-storey building collapsed in Chandni Mahal.

Yogendra Chandolia,Standing Committee Chairperson,North corporation,said engineers had been briefed and they would take action on Friday.

“I have asked engineers to visit the building and take action,” he said. Deputy Commissioner (City Zone),Subhash Chandra,remained unavailable for comment.