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Following a recent report by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, which revealed signs of deterioration in tower A of Chintels Paradiso society in Sector 109, the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) has directed the developer, Chintels India, to conduct an additional structural audit within the next 30 days. The aim is to ensure the safety of residents and assess the required rehabilitation measures to counterbalance the effects of corrosion.
IIT-Delhi's previous audit, made public earlier this month, declared the tower safe for the time being. However, it also highlighted significant deterioration and recommended an annual structural audit to maintain the safety of residents. The DTCP order emphasizes the need for a fresh audit, this time preferably conducted by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI).
The DTCP has instructed Chintels India to submit a compliance report within 30 days and implement the recommendations outlined in the audit report. Furthermore, the department has directed Chintels to evacuate tower G and submit a comprehensive report to the district administration.
According to the DTCP order, if the findings of the new audit align with those of IIT-Delhi, indicating that the building is currently safe but likely to deteriorate further due to high chloride content in the concrete, the builder will be obligated to conduct annual structural audits of tower A every January. These audits should be carried out by one of the four consultants appointed by the administration.
To promote transparency and accountability, the order also mandates the builder to share the structural audit report with the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). In the event of an adverse report, the builder will be required to compensate the owners similarly to towers D, E, and F, which have already been declared unfit for habitation.
Tower G, which has been deemed unsafe by IIT-Delhi, received a separate directive from the Deputy Commissioner, under the Disaster Management Act, to be vacated within 15 days. The recent DTCP order reiterates the need for Chintels India to evacuate tower G promptly and provide a compliance report to the Deputy Commissioner. Failure to comply will result in legal action against the developer.
The alarming incident in February 2022, where five flats in the society suffered a vertical cave-in, leading to the tragic deaths of two residents, highlighted the urgency of addressing structural concerns. Tower D has remained abandoned since then, and three more towers have been declared unfit for habitation.
The IIT-Delhi report emphasized the extensive corrosion of reinforcement throughout tower A, attributing it to the presence of chlorides mixed into the concrete during its production. The report highlighted the poor quality of concrete and the high chloride content as factors contributing to the rapid deterioration. Repairing the structures to ensure safety is deemed technically and economically unfeasible in their current state, rendering tower A unfit for habitation.
In light of these findings and the deteriorating condition of tower A, the DTCP's directive for an additional structural audit underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents. The compliance report and subsequent actions taken by Chintels India will determine the future course of action for the tower and the accountability of the developer.
In conclusion, the Department of Town and Country Planning has mandated Chintels India to conduct another structural audit of tower A within 30 days, in response to the deteriorating condition of the building. The safety of residents remains a top priority, and the audit will determine the necessary rehabilitation measures to counterbalance the effects of corrosion. Failure to comply with the directive will result in legal consequences for the developer. (606 words)
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