Residents seek structural audit of high-rise buildings
GREATER NOIDA: Members of the Noida Extension Flat Owners’ Welfare Association (NEFOWA) met officials of the Greater Noida authority on Monday to discuss a host of issues being faced by the residents in the Greater Noida West area. One of the key issues discussed in the meeting was the demand for a structural audit of high-rise buildings in the region in view of the recent incident of ceiling collapse of multiple flats at a highrise in Gurugram, the association said.
“The problems of plaster falling and leakage in housing societies of Greater Noida West are prevalent. We put forward our demand for a structural audit here as precautionary measures,” said Abhishek Kumar, president of NEFOWA.
Amandeep Duli, additional chief executive officer of Greater Noida authority who attended the meeting, said that the authority officials are taking steps to ensure structural safety of the high-rise societies.
“Issues like falling of plasters or leakage do not come under the purview of structural audit. However, considering residents’ requests, the authority held a meeting with IIT Roorkee on Monday to integrate such a process that during the time of construction itself, we should have definitive quality checks. It will be mandatory soon as part of the construction safety certificate issued by the authority to builders,” he said, adding that “we will look into complaints of apartment owners' associations for structural flaws and make a decision for an audit on a caseto-case basis”.
The residents also asked the officials for an update on the proposal for the construction of an underpass at Kisan Chowk, also known as Gaur Chowk.
“The survey report by RITES for an underpass at Gaur Chowk was submitted in January this year. As soon as the election code of conduct is lifted in Uttar Pradesh, a tender for the same will be published,” said Duli.
On the demand for a space for a Ramlila ground and a sports stadium in the area, Duli said, “The authority officials will review places suggested by NEFOWA for the Ramlila ground and sports stadium and submit a report of the same to the CEO.”
Rahul Garg, another member of NEFOWA, said that the issue of non-availability of traffic cell in Greater Noida West was raised in the meeting. “It has been requested that a traffic cell should be established in the authority so that there is no dependence on planning and engineering department for redressal of traffic related complaints,” he said. To this, the officials said that the authority regularly coordinates with the traffic department of Gautam Budh Nagar police and considers their recommendations for smoother traffic flow in the region.
“There is no need for a separate traffic cell within the authority as our departments regularly coordinate with the traffic police. Moreover, once the comprehensive mobility plan developed by RITES is implemented, major traffic issues are expected to be resolved,” Duli said.
We will look into complaints of apartment owners' associations for structural flaws and make a decision for an audit on a case-to-case basis.
AMANDEEP DULI, additional CEO, Greater Noida authority