GURUGRAM: The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) has declared Tower C of Chintels Paradiso unsafe for habitation, following a structural analysis.
This is the seventh tower in the condominium of nine towers – where a vertical collapse of living rooms killed two residents in Feb 2022 – to be declared unfit.
CBRI’s findings uncovered extensive structural deficiencies, primarily due to severe corrosion caused by high chloride content and substandard concrete. This is similar to findings for the other towers declared unfit.
Tower C has a total of 64 flats, of which 60 are occupied. Earlier, towers D, E, F, G, H, and J of the project were declared unsafe for habitation by IIT Delhi, which was called for an inquiry after the cave-in at Tower D. In its report, IIT-Delhi declared that the remaining towers – A, B, and C – were safe for the time being but with the possibility of deterioration in future. Based on these findings, the district administration also declared the six towers unsafe and directed their demolition, which is expected to commence this Nov.
After IIT Delhi’s report, the developer, Chintels India, initiated its own structural audit of all towers through CBRI to assess the status of the towers and explore the possibility of renovation.
CBRI’s report, which was recently submitted to Chintels, highlighted that nearly all structural elements across Tower C exhibit significant corrosion, compromising the tower’s stability.
The rapid deterioration has been primarily attributed to the presence of chloride ions in concrete, which accelerates corrosion, and the use of poor-quality concrete, which increases carbonation. These issues render the building non-compliant with Indian standards, particularly given its location in seismic zone IV, the CBRI report said.
The institute warned that repair, retrofitting and rehabilitation would be insufficient in ensuring long-term safety of the structure.
The report, besides, emphasised that the cost of these interventions would exceed 50% of the original construction cost, making retrofitting economically unfeasible. “Even with significant repairs, the structure would likely continue to deteriorate rapidly, making it unsafe for prolonged habitation,” it stated.
Given these findings, CBRI strongly recommended the demolition of Tower C.
Reconstruction is deemed a more viable option, as the existing building cannot be made reliably safe for its intended design life, which is expected to last 50 years, the report said.
A spokesperson for the developer said, “We are going through the CBRI report and are planning to forward it to the district administration as well. We will be extending a similar offer to the residents of Tower C, as extended to other residents of other towers.”
Deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav told TOI they haven’t received CBRI’s report. “Once we get the report, we will study it and take action accordingly,” he added.
According to the buyback offer extended to flat owners in towers D, E, F, G and H of the society, the developer will pay an amount of Rs. 6,500 per sqft and reimburse the actual stamp duty paid by flat owners along with the cost of renovation as evaluated by independent evaluators appointed by the govt.
For reconstruction of flats, which is the second offer, the flat owners who have not accepted buyback option will have to pay Rs 1,000 per sq ft in four instalments – 40% at the start of construction, 30% on completion of basic structure, 20% on application of occupation certificates and remaining 10% on offer of possession. The developer will complete the project in 42 months with a grace period of six month from the date when construction will start.
Towers D, E, F, G and H were built in phase 1 of the project, while towers A, B, C and J were launched in the second phase.
On Feb 10, 2022, the floor of a drawing room on the sixth floor of Tower D collapsed to the first floor, resulting in the deaths of two women.
Last week, the department of town and country planning’s (DTCP) enforcement wing issued notices to residents of Tower J, giving them 10 days to vacate the building, failing which they would be held responsible for harm due to any untoward incident.
The action followed an order from the deputy commissioner, which mandated the evacuation of the tower due to safety concerns.
The district town planner (enforcement) also instructed the developer to ensure that the flats are vacated by the allottees without delay. Towers D to H have been evacuated.
DC Yadav had set a deadline of August 22 for complete evacuation of Tower J.
If not complied with, there is a significant risk of disaster and the administration is prepared to take legal action against the residents concerned under the Disaster Management Act, he had said.
