2 killed in Ghaziabad balcony collapse: Flat was declared ‘dangerous' over 5 yrs ago
On Wednesday evening, the balcony of a second-floor flat in Ghaziabad's Tilamod collapsed, killing 25-year-old Akash and his three-year-old nephew Vansh.
This flat, built under the Tulsi Niketan Housing Scheme, was part of several such buildings declared dangerous by the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) over five years ago.
According to GDA officials, in 2018, on account of several complaints from residents, an assessment of the buildings was done by Jamia Millia Islamia. The report, submitted in February 2019, observed that the units are not 'safe under seismic loads' and recommended that the units be dismantled, as their retrofitting and rehabilitation could be costlier.
The GDA, in a statement, said it started the Tulsi Niketan Housing Scheme in 1989-90. The scheme had 288 LIG and 2,004 EWS buildings spread over 7.83 hectares, located near the Wazirabad Highway on the Delhi-Ghaziabad border.
'Over time, the buildings became dilapidated as the area faced waterlogging issues… The Authority had received several complaints,' it added.
According to Ghaziabad District Magistrate (DM) Shiv Meena, the GDA was planning to redevelop the building. He further said that the incident should not be looked at in isolation. 'There are several buildings that need repair and renovation. This incident can happen anywhere,' Meena told The Indian Express.
'There should be a large-scale survey, and such buildings should be notified. I will issue an administrative order soon,' he added.
According to the Nagar Nigam Act of 2004, it is the responsibility of the body to declare a building unsafe. 'If the building is unsafe, the Nagar Nigam can demolish the building,' said an official.
GDA Vice-Chairperson Atul Vats said, 'For the last 10 years, we had been trying to hand over the buildings to Nagar Nigam. But as it lacked structural stability, it did not agree. So, we came up with the redevelopment plan.'
'We began the survey 15 days ago, and an Expression of Interest (EOI) was also floated for the development,' he said. 'The expense would be Rs 1,000 crore. We have mentioned in the EOI that those redeveloping the building would also cover the rent of those staying there,' he said.
In its statement, the GDA said that on May 1, a meeting was convened to redevelop such dilapidated buildings. Those in attendance were the Secretary, Additional Secretary, Executive Engineer, and other senior officials of the GDA, as well as local residents, councillor Yashpal Pehelwan and former councillor Vinod Kasana..
'Following the meeting, residents were informed about the objectives and procedures of the redevelopment plan. Along with this, their doubts were also resolved promptly by officials. It was also clarified in the meeting that the survey of the Tulsi Niketan scheme is being conducted by the GDA, in which full cooperation is expected from all residents. After the completion of the survey, detailed information about the scheme will be made available to all residents,' it added.
According to Vats, a similar redevelopment plan was initiated in 2019, but could not be carried out. 'Only 300 of the 1,900 residing there are original allottees; the rest have been staying through power of attorney, which is not legally valid,' he said.
Neetika Jha is a trainee reporter with The Indian Express, Delhi. She covers crime, health, environment as well as stories of human interest, in Noida and Ghaziabad. When not on the field she is probably working on another story idea. On weekends, she loves to read fiction over a cup of coffee (cold coffee if it is summer). The Thursday Murder club and Yellow face were her recent favourites. She loves her garden as much as she loves her job. She is an alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. ... Read More
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