DDA’s next: Stronger foundation for ‘dangerous’ buildings in East Delhi

ROHINI, India - April 3, 2013 - PRLog -- After 70 per cent of all buildings on Yamuna floodplains were declared structurally unsafe in a survey by Central Building Research Institute, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is about to hire a consultant to help in retrofitting or reconstructing ‘dangerous or unsafe’ buildings in the city. Most of these buildings are in East Delhi.

Pilot projects for retrofitting will be carried out in five areas. Three or four buildings will be reconstructed in each of these pilot projects. Retrofitting involves strengthening the foundation of unsafe buildings. This increases the earthquake resistance of the building.

“The five areas where pilot projects will be carried out are Lalita Park, Gandhi Nagar, Kondli, Lal Kuan and Fatehpur Beri. We are going to hire a consultant to tell us how to go about retrofitting or reconstructing these buildings,” DDA spokesperson Neemo Dhar said. All of these areas have witnessed building collapses in the past. The DDA has created a special cell to manage these projects, in accordance with the Lieutenant-Governor’s recommendations.

DDA officials said, the consultant will help them frame an overall policy for retrofitting or reconstructing unsafe buildings in the city. http://www.sarvodya.com

“This will involve the cost of retrofitting or reconstructing dangerous buildings and transit accommodation to be provided to occupants of such buildings. The consultant will speak to the owner of the building and determine whether it needs to be retrofitted or demolished completely and reconstructed,” an official said.

Source: - www.financialexpress.com