The Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) has warned architects and engineers of “tough measures” if buildings for which they have applied for occupation certificates have structural issues after the final inspection.

Officials said architects and engineers could even face FIRs or their licenses can be revoked if they prove to be regular offenders. The move comes amid a vertical collapse of rooms in Chintels Paradiso that killed two people on February 10th. Residents have long doubted the safety of the building’s construction.

In accordance with the amended Haryana Building Code of 2017, a building owner only needs to apply for a DTCP through a recognized architect. The department grants occupation certificates if it is assessed that the applicant complies with all building regulations.

K. M. Pandurang, director of the DTCP, warned: “Architects who misuse their position and certify the wrong documents to obtain OCs will be punished.”

Professional licenses may be canceled-

District town planner RS Batth said, the DTCP often notes that architects have applied for occupation certificates of residential properties in licensed areas without structural validation. We have taken note of that. The board has now asked architects and engineers to first file cases with their signatures after the buildings have been duly inspected for zoning violations or non-compliance. They must ensure that the buildings are properly furnished and finished. Most important part is that they should be structurally good.

In the current configuration, the main responsibility for the file lies with the architects or engineers looking for the occupation certificates. The architects have repeatedly stated that they examined the site and assured that no violations were found during the construction of a building. However, the inspection of the department showed the opposite. In such cases, if violations are found, the architect certifying the building will be responsible. For regular offenders, the office will recommend FIR. Their professional licenses may also be revoked and they may be blacklisted from filing for future OC applications.

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