Residents of Noida and Greater Noida demand audit on high-rises building

Following the collapse of two 6-storeyed buildings in Shahberi area, the residents of high rises in Noida and Greater Noida are demanding the structure audit from the state government. The residents want the authorities to audit the quality of construction material used in the buildings, the strengths of the building columns, beams, pillars, iron bars and plaster, sewage discharge systems, water pipeline system, electrical cabin and wiring system, lifts and podiums.

The residents have sent a letter to the district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar requesting the structure audit of their buildings. They also made a request through IGRS for the audit of the societies. Noida and Greater Noida have more than two hundred high rise societies.

According to the residents, they fear that the builders have not used the high-quality material in the buildings as there have been incidents in the past in which plaster of the wall or ceilings has fallen.

"On June 27, a concrete chunk fell off from the ceiling of our apartment in Ajnara Daffodils society. The Shahberi building collapse has caused fear among us," said Ritu Mehra, a resident of Ajnara Daffodils.

Most of the residents alleged that most of the basements are already showing signs of heavy damage while they also attacked the authorities saying that they should have been careful when the buildings were being constructed.

"Our basement has cracks and evidence of plaster falling. We fear that the high rise buildings here are also at risk and the administration is just waiting for more such incidents to happen," said Vipul Sharma, a resident of Gardenia Glory.

BN Singh, District Magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar said that the demand of the residents was genuine. "It is the responsibility of Noida and Greater Noida authority to start the structure audit of the high rises. I have not received any letter yet. But, if I receive one, then I will take it up with the concerned authorities for the audit."

Meanwhile, another building located in the same area of Shahberi village tilted on Saturday evening after heavy rainfall. The residents of the 5-storey building have been evacuated by the police and the area has been sealed to prevent any mishap.

TROUBLED RESIDENTS

• The residents want the authorities to audit the quality of construction material used in the buildings, the strengths of the building columns, beams, pillars, iron bars and plaster, sewage discharge systems, water pipeline system, electrical cabin and wiring system, lifts and podiums. 
   
• They fear that the builders have not used the high-quality material in the buildings as there have been incidents in the past.