The Hindu 09.11.2013
NDMC to check all buildings in Khan Market
The New Delhi Municipal Council has initiated a safety
inspection of buildings in the Khan Market area, nearly two months after
a building partially collapsed in the location.
“There
have been continuous renovation and construction in the Khan Market
area and it has become structurally unsafe overtime. We are entering
each and every building and shop and checking their safety,” said NDMC
chairperson Jalaj Srivastava.
Safety inspection is
the first step in the direction of implementing the Khan Market
Redevelopment Plan, which also includes fire safety measures and has
been lying in abeyance since 2011.
“A team of NDMC
officials will test each and every building in the area before we start
the redevelopment project. Measures would be taken if any building
by-law violation is found,” Mr. Srivastava said.
This
comes almost two months after the first floor of an under-renovation
building for designer Ritu Kumar partially collapsed which resulted in
the second floor caving in and the ground floor, which houses a bank,
developing fissures.
One of the major components of
the redevelopment plan is fire safety measures. The NDMC in 2011 had
allowed commercial activity on the first floor which was earlier
reserved only for residential purposes. Since then, the restaurants are
loading the building by putting heavy water tanks and generator sets
there, which according to traders, put a lot of pressure on old
structures.
The initial fire plan included a metal
walkway in the central lane to help people descend in case of a fire.
But, according to Mr. Srivastava, the walkway is not feasible as it will
not leave enough space for people to walk in the area.
Parking
is also a major concern which has time and again proved to be a sore
spot in the area. Currently one acre land is being used for parking
which does not cater to the parking needs of the area.
“The
plan is to expand the parking area. We are also looking at the concept
of ‘Built Parkway’, in which people park their vehicles at a parking
near the location and travel by other modes from there,” Mr. Srivastava
said. This is one of the best ways to decongest Khan Market, he added.
