The Times of India 25.11.2010
MCD to take action if buildings over 15m high
NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi will take action against buildings in unauthorized and unauthorized regularized colonies which are over 15 metres in height. MCD commissioner K S Mehra said on Wednesday the civic agency was identifying such buildings during its ongoing survey of dangerous structures in the city.
According to Master Plan-2021, the ceiling on vertical growth in most parts of the city is 15 meters and buildings which have been constructed violating this norm may face action. MCD standing committee chairman Yogender Chandolia said illegal floors in such buildings "may be demolished".
Though the MCD survey is currently concentrating on buildings around the Yamuna riverbed, the agency plans to extend it to other parts of the city. "A survey to identify dangerous buildings will be carried out across the city in a phased manner and action will be taken to ensure structural stability. The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) will help us with the survey." Mehra said CBRI experts will be back in Delhi on Wednesday.
"The CBRI experts have collected samples from the building that collapsed at Lalita Park in Laxmi Nagar and inspected other constructions in the area. They will tell us whether the buildings can be repaired through retrofitting. The cost will, most probably, be borne by the owner of the buildings as they are all privately owned," Mehra said. Chandolia, however, said the civic agency may bear the cost of repairing the buildings.
"The Lalita Park house collapse report will be submitted by the chief vigilance officer (CVO) soon. Once that happens, we will consider banning construction of basements in such areas."
Meanwhile, a meeting of the MCD standing committee had to be adjourned mid-way after the opposition Congress created a ruckus over the delay in submitting of the CVO report. They also gheraoed the commissioner outside his office.
According to Master Plan-2021, the ceiling on vertical growth in most parts of the city is 15 meters and buildings which have been constructed violating this norm may face action. MCD standing committee chairman Yogender Chandolia said illegal floors in such buildings "may be demolished".
Though the MCD survey is currently concentrating on buildings around the Yamuna riverbed, the agency plans to extend it to other parts of the city. "A survey to identify dangerous buildings will be carried out across the city in a phased manner and action will be taken to ensure structural stability. The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) will help us with the survey." Mehra said CBRI experts will be back in Delhi on Wednesday.
"The CBRI experts have collected samples from the building that collapsed at Lalita Park in Laxmi Nagar and inspected other constructions in the area. They will tell us whether the buildings can be repaired through retrofitting. The cost will, most probably, be borne by the owner of the buildings as they are all privately owned," Mehra said. Chandolia, however, said the civic agency may bear the cost of repairing the buildings.
"The Lalita Park house collapse report will be submitted by the chief vigilance officer (CVO) soon. Once that happens, we will consider banning construction of basements in such areas."
Meanwhile, a meeting of the MCD standing committee had to be adjourned mid-way after the opposition Congress created a ruckus over the delay in submitting of the CVO report. They also gheraoed the commissioner outside his office.
