Building collapse in Satya Niketan prompts investigation into illegal construction

A building collapsed in Satya Niketan, prompting an investigation into its structural integrity.

NEW DELHI: Investigators are probing if construction work might have been carried out illegally in the basement of the building in Satya Niketan when it collapsed Sunday. Initial inquiries suggested the basement used to get waterlogged, which may have weakened the structure, and the construction work may have aggravated the situation and contributed to the tragedy. MCD said it was looking into the matter. Police are likely to examine how permission for the work was given during the monsoon season, sources said. “The building owner, contractor and labourers will be interrogated,” an investigator said. It was unclear whether the building owner had obtained permission for the construction or whether it was being carried out illegally, allegedly in connivance with local authorities, which are supposed to flag such activities.

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Mayor Pravesh Wahi, who inspected the site, said the building was more than four decades old and had two rooms on each floor in a ground-plus-four-storey structure. “MCD’s immediate priority is the rescue operation. It is too early to determine whether any construction or repair work was underway when the building collapsed, as the entire structure was buried under debris,” he said, adding that 13 students were registered as paying guests in the building. According to an MCD official, “No record of booking or sealing is available and no complaints have been received of any work in this property.” A senior MCD official said the building violated the prescribed height limit of 17.5 metres. However, he added, the civic body was yet to ascertain whether any digging or structural work was recently carried out in the basement or ground floor. “Given the incessant rain, we are examining the possibility of seepage weakening the structure. Repair or other work could also have contributed to the collapse. At this stage, however, it is difficult to establish the exact cause,” he said. The official said the building owner, who lives in Gurgaon, has another property in the area. “There is negligence on his part. The adjoining building was also found to have structural deficiencies, including the absence of a proper beam structure. Considering the safety risk, the neighbouring building has been vacated and will be demolished Monday. The residents will be shifted to a nearby community hall,” he said. According to former DFS director Atul Garg, “There is still not much clarity regarding PG accommodations. If they are above 15 metres, the rules are defined. For buildings below 15 metres, the fire brigade does not grant approval. This building was built for residential purposes, but it was being used for commercial purposes. The building authority is responsible in this case.” Rescue operation under way at the site

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