Delhi: Civic issues
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Unsafe Buildings
‘Unsafe’ Old Delhiwallas live in fear and hope
Survey On Unsafe Buildings Pending, No Repairs This Year
Maria Akram TNN The Times of India
Every year, the corporations carry out a survey before monsoon to identify unstable structures and get them repaired. In 2012 the corporation pointed out some 160 dangerous buildings in the city.
North Delhi Municipal Corporation says the guidelines are very clear, and residents should file complaints against officials who demand money. “Repair includes patchwork, mending the ceiling, whitewash or changing the windows. But one cannot extend the height of the structure. There have been complaints of people carrying out construction in the name of repair.”
Officials say over 200 buildings in Walled City area and around 70 in Paharganj are not deemed safe but only 27 dangerous buildings have been strengthened in the past few years. Officials say most of the dangerous buildings are private properties. They claim to have issued several eviction notices but put the onus of repairs on the owner. “In 2012, 25,785 properties were surveyed in the Walled City and 47 were declared ‘very dangerous’. We issued notices but the owners are responsible for demolishing the portions. If the building is marked as ‘very dangerous’, we raze the portions and the owners are supposed to remove the remaining structure,” said a North Corporation official.
According to the figures by the National Crime Records Bureau, Delhi has experienced maximum damage by collapse of structures, falling under unnatural accidents, among 53 cities. In 2011, 68 cases of collapse were reported, claiming 60 lives and leaving 75 people injured. This raises serious questions about the capital’s readiness for vertical gr owth.
After the Lalita Park building collapse in 2010, then unified MCD, along with the National Institute of Disaster Management, conducted a large-scale survey in the trans-Yamuna area to pinpoint the unsafe buildings. The survey report was never tabled. After the collapse, action has been taken against 96 properties, say officials.
“Rampant illegal construction has not only cluttered areas but also weakened the existing structures. The walls of many houses have developed cracks and their foundation has become shaky,” said Sanjeev Sehgal, member of Ramesh Nagar RWA, east Delhi.
WITHERING HEIGHTS
Every year municipal corporations have to carry out a survey to identify dangerous buildings in the capital
1n 2012, corporations identified around 160 dangerous buildings
Officials say there are over 200 dilapidated buildings in Walled City and over 70 in Paharganj alone
Under Delhi building bylaws 1983, no alteration can be made to a residential building after the building plan is sanctioned by corporation. For any change in basic structure, a new building plan has to be submitted; otherwise it will be seen as unauthorized construction
CHANGES ALLOWED
Plastering and patch repair
Replacing fallen bricks, stones, pillars, beams, etc
Reconstruction of portions of building damaged by rain, fire or any other natural calamity to the same extent and specification as existed prior to damage
Erection or re-erection of internal partition provided it is within purview of bylaws
