The Hindu 25.11.2010
MCD to zero in on buildings flouting norms
Staff Reporter
Illegal floors added to the buildings may have to go, says MCD panel chief
No action taken against officials for dereliction of duty, says Leader of Opposition
NEW DELHI: Following the recent collapse of a building in Lalita Park that claimed 70 lives, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, which had initiated a survey of “unsafe” buildings in the area, said that it would soon be zeroing in on buildings in approved, unauthorised and regularised residential colonies found flouting the prescribed height norms as per the Master Plan for Delhi 2021.
Standing Committee chairman Yogender Chandolia said: “Buildings found flouting the prescribed height would come under our scanner. In many areas, structures of more than 15 metres in height are not allowed according to the Master Plan and those which have been constructed violating this norm may face demolition. Illegal floors added to such buildings may also have to go.”
The matter was also discussed at the MCD's Standing Committee meeting here on Wednesday but the meeting had to be shortly adjourned following protests by Leader of Opposition J. K. Sharma over the civic body's “delay” in presenting the report on the Lalita Park incident by the MCD's Chief Vigilance Officer.
“Almost nine days have passed but the MCD has not taken any action against any official for dereliction of duty. So far the civic body has only issued notices to 38 dangerous building for evacuation. Municipal Commissioner K. S. Mehra had ordered an inquiry into the incident by the CVO and directed to report its findings within four days. It should have come latest by Friday last but till date no report has been submitted,” he added.
Mr. Mehra, however, stated that the CVO had sought more time to complete the probe as there were "complex issues" involved and he needed to go through the relevant documents seized by him.
Meanwhile, addressing the Standing Committee meeting on the findings of the survey of buildings being undertaken with the help of experts from Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, Mr. Mehra said: “Experts of CBRI who had collected samples from the collapsed house in Lalita Park in Laxmi Nagar and inspected other constructions in the area would get back to the MCD which would take necessary action including retrofitting of the buildings as per CBRI guidance.”
According to the MCD, the survey would be later extended throughout Delhi to identify "dangerous buildings" and take necessary action to ensure structural stability.
However, the civic body seems to be divided on whether the cost of retrofitting and other such measures would be borne by the property owners or the civic body.
