The structural audit of 22 high-rise societies, mandated by the district administration last year, has encountered a six-month delay as developers have yet to fulfill the required survey fees. The deputy commissioner is now issuing warnings of legal consequences to developers for their non-compliance.
Among the 23 high-rise societies earmarked for the second phase of the structural audit, only one has remitted the necessary fee. Disturbingly, six of these societies’ developers have not even provided project drawings, an essential prerequisite for the audit. Despite repeated reminders from the district administration and the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), these developers remain unresponsive.
A status report presented by District Town Planner (Enforcement) Manish Yadav to Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav revealed the stark reality. “Only one developer has deposited the money for the structural audit. Apart from this, till now, no builder or RWA has deposited money for the audit, due to which the structural audit has been completely stalled for the last six months.”
In response to the Deputy Commissioner’s instructions, the DTP had requested drawings from the developers of the 23 societies. However, drawings for only 16 projects were submitted. Notably, Raheja Atharva, Ansal Estella, Vatika G-21, SS Coralwood, SS Almeria, Satya Hermitage, and Aloha are among the societies that have not yet submitted architectural drawings.
Upon receiving the drawings, the appointed consultants calculated the audit expenses and generated bills. Despite urging developers to pay 50% of the fee upfront, only NBCC, the developer of NBCC Heights, has complied.
Deputy Commissioner Yadav stated, “We are issuing notices to developers to deposit the drawings and fee for the structural audit. We will expedite the process, and action will be initiated against the developers and RWAs concerned.”
The structural audits were initiated following the collapse of five floors at Chintels Paradiso society in Sector 109, resulting in the tragic deaths of two residents in February 2022. Responding to complaints from around 55 societies, the district administration identified several apartment complexes requiring audits.