The Hindu 21.12.2010
Wall collapse: GVMC seeks expert advice
Staff Reporter
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Cement grouting will be taken up in the area: Deputy Mayor |
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has
urged a retired professor of IIT, Chennai, S. Narasimha Rao, and a
former director of IIT, Chennai, who is presently advisor with Gayatri
Vidya Parishad, P.S. Rao, to suggest remedial steps to prevent
recurrence of collapse of retaining walls of two buildings at Marripalem
VUDA Layout.
Besides, retired Andhra University professor in Structural
Engineering D.L.N. Rao and soil mechanics expert and retired AU
professor Bangareswara Sarma comprise the four-member team that would go
into the retaining wall collapse at Vaibhav Hills Apartments on
Thursday followed by the wall of the next building on Sunday.
According to Deputy Mayor K. Dorabbai, cement grouting will be taken
up in the area as a temporary measure. A meeting with floor leaders
would be held to take their approval and spend the amount from GVMC
funds and in anticipation of the council resolution later.
As a precautionary measure, the GVMC authorities barricaded the rear portion of the area on Monday.
Survey sought
Meanwhile, a delegation of Confederation of Real Estate Developers’
Association of India Visakhapatnam Chapter that met Chief City Planner
D. Venkataratnam wanted a survey to be taken up on the status in various
areas of the city including Facor Layout, Balayya Sastry Layout, parts
of Sitammadhara, Rishikonda, among others with similar terrain. Chairman
K. Subba Raju said where construction had been completed owners should
be alerted on the possible risks and where it was to be taken up
precautions suggested. Mr. Venkataratnam said residents of a
neighbouring building also vacated their apartments for reasons of
safety.
