The Indian Express               23.05.2013

After apartment caves in at Raopura, VMC issues notice to ‘weak’ buildings

After a four-storey apartment in city's Raopura caved in, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) said about 56 buildings were issued the notice of caution in the last one and a half years. The VMC has expedited the survey of such buildings to prevent their collapse. The notice has been issued to builders of houses that are found to be in danger of falling down under section 64 of the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporations (GPMC) Act, after conducting surveys. "We have conducted surveys of such houses and have also issued notices to the builders and owners at regular intervals, asking them to make arrangements to prevent them from falling.

The survey is ongoing with monsoon approaching," Shailesh Mistry, chief engineer, VMC, said.

The executive engineers of different zones of the VMC said surveys have been an ongoing exercise. Many buildings were issued notice in the last few days after the Mahavir Apartment caved in. "Builders have been asked to ensure that the building remains intact or they have to take it down within fifteen days of getting notice, as per the Act. We help them in doing so, but the builders have to pay fee," Mistry said.

Raopura, where the Mahavir Apartment was located, has one of the highest number of such buildings at 14, officials said. VMC officials said Mahavir Apartment was also served similar notice, but the builders did not act on it.

Meanwhile, police said they were yet to take action against the builder, Rajesh Jain, and a junior clerk of VMC, Mahendra Rajput, who took down his building adjoining Mahavir Apartment, leading to its inevitable collapse.