Officials to face action: Authority

GREATERNOIDA: The Greater Noida authority chief executive officer Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma on Friday decided to take tough action against officials for failing to contain illegal construction in their respective areas.

The move comes after the principal secretary of the UP industrial development department issued strict directions to the Greater Noida authority in view of the Shahberi twin building collapse that killed nine persons. The industrial development department has taken cognizance of the Shahberi incident and instructed officials to ensure that no illegal construction is allowed in any area.

“We have directed the general manager (projects), senior manager (projects) and assistant manager that they should take effective steps to contain unauthorised construction in their respective areas,” Sharma said.

Two buildings collapsed on Tuesday night in Shahberi, because the builder allegedly used poor construction material and flouted building bylaws. At least nine persons were confirmed dead before the rescue operation ended on Friday. The police have arrested five persons, including the contractor, the land owner and property agents, who sold flats to buyers in the illegal building. The building collapsed as the foundation was not strong enough to bear the load of six floors, said officials.

Shahberi has become a hub of unauthorised buildings, as lower middle class persons looking for cheap housing are easily duped by property agents. Builders buy agricultural land from farmers and start constructing buildings without obtaining any approval from the local authority.

The Greater Noida authority CEO also directed the general manager, senior manager and assistant manager to conduct surveys and regular inspections in villages to check if any illegal construction is underway.