Noida authority plan policy to ensure periodical structural audits of buildings

noida-authority-plans-policy-to-ensure-periodical-structural-audits-of-buildings

Following repeated complaints about the poor quality of construction, Noida authority began to develop a policy to ensure that building structures are inspected before and after their handover by government authorities or contracting engineers. If approved, the developers and subsequently the apartment owners associations (AOA), will be responsible for carrying out the periodic inspections and repairs proposed in the reports.

According to representatives of the department, before approving the project layout map. Developers would told to perform a structural audit of buildings during the construction of common departments three times at different stages of construction. If the developers do not check, the no occupation certificate will not be issued.

Dedicated authorities for inspection-

Developers often hire project management consultants for their business. However, at present it is not possible to carry out a physical inspection by any agency during the construction period. Under the proposed policy, builders required to enter into contracts with the Authority’s integrated agencies and inspect buildings.

This not only guarantees the quality of construction, but also eliminates various violations, such as construction of additional floors, use of low-quality materials and others. Once ready, the responsibility for its implementation will lie with the builder for the next five years. Thereafter, the AOAs will most likely be contracted to perform regular structural audits and pay for any repairs.

Nikhil Saxena, Noida-based civil engineer said, “The lifespan of a building is typically 50 years. Every five to seven years, the building must be assessed for compliance with the latest standards, earthquakes and seasonal conditions”. On Wednesday, a delegation from the Noida Citizens Forum (NCF) met with Authority officials to demand structural audits every five years. 

Ankit Arora, NCF Secretary, said, “The safety of people living in high-rise buildings has long been a concern. But so far no concrete measures have been taken.

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Noida Land Order Got No Reviews from Allahabad High Court

Home-buyers in Noida and Greater Noida will have to wait longer for their flats. The Allahabad high court on Monday dismissed the plea of the Noida and Greater Noida authorities seeking review of its earlier order requiring all projects in the area to get the NCR Planning Board’s approval. So, till these clearances are in place, buyers will not get possession.

However, there was some relief for the buyers as well, with the court striking down a review petition by a group of villagers who wanted the land acquisition quashed in a village where construction work had started. The ruling led to some farmers in Noida Extension taking to the streets and attacking housing projects. They blocked traffic for a few hours.

The court also stuck to its earlier ruling granting increased compensation as well as 10% of the developed land to farmers.

Both the Noida and Greater Noida authorities had filed applications seeking review of the order dated October 21, 2011 which requires the NCR Board’s clearances for projects. The authorities argued before the three-judge bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, S U Khan and V K Shukla, there was no need for such approvals but the bench was not impressed.

The court also dismissed applications to review the order on providing 10% developed plots to farmers. The authorities said development work in the area was almost complete and there were no leftover plots which could be given to farmers. Appearing for the farmers, Kamal Singh Yadav opposed the review applications saying developed plots were available but was not being provided to farmers. On October 21, 2011, after hearing 491 petitions against land acquisition filed by farmers of 63 villages falling under Noida and Greater Noida, the Allahabad High Court had cancelled land acquisition in three villages where construction had not started.

The acquisition was undertaken by the authorities using the urgency clause in the name of industrial development. But later the land use was changed to residential and plots sold to builders. However, in 60 villages where substantial construction work was already done, the court did not quash the acquisition. Instead, it asked the authorities to increase compensation and provide 10% to the affected farmers.

Thus, while ensuring enhanced compensation to farmers, the court also took into account the interest of more than 50,000 people who had booked flats and houses in projects on the acquired land. Now, the two authorities have no other option but to take approval of NCR planning board whose meeting is scheduled later this month and pay enhanced compensation to farmers.