The Times of India            21.11.2013

'Structural audit must or Rs 25,000 fine'

THANE: Taking serious note of dilapidated buildings in the city after the Kalwa building collapse incident, civic commissioner Aseem Gupta has asked citizens to carry out structural audit, failing which a penalty of Rs 25,000 will be imposed. The decision was taken at the general body meeting on Wednesday.

Gupta said, "According to the government directives, all 30-year-old buildings should go through structural audit and owners have to procure health card of the structure. We request citizens to conduct structural audit of old buildings. If they fail to do so, then they will be fined Rs 25,000."

The civic chief has directed his officers to initiate a survey and prepare a list of old and dilapidated buildings that need to undergo structural audit. "Proper and authentic audit is must. Extra floors in existing buildings will be razed to reduce load for its safety. We have earmarked 150 such structures that have been amended in the property tax net," said Gupta.

Gupta added, "Cluster development is the only viable alternative to replace deplorable buildings in the city but it's impossible to implement the policy overnight. We had several rounds of discussion with higher-ups in Mantralaya. Another meeting is scheduled on Friday with the chief minister. We have almost completed the ground work pertaining to cluster development policy."

He has agreed to issue permission for construction of houses in the gram panchayat area if illegal floors have not been added so far. Any misuse of permission will be null and void, said Gupta.