Haryana's DTCP in process of updating the guidelines on Structural Safety of Buildings & Structures

After the unfortunate recent incident of building collapse in Gurugram (Gurgaon) on February 10, 2022 in which couple of precious lives were lost, Haryana's Directorate of Town & Country Planning (DTCP) has put forth Draft version of Guidelines on Structural Safety of Buildings in Haryana.

The unfortunate incident had witnessed caving-in of part of the multi-storeyed residential complex Chintels Paradiso located in Sector-109 in Haryana's Gurugram. The main allegation during the interim fact-finding exercise has been noted as irregularities in the structural design of the building besides shoddy construction practices and approving checks and balances by principle architect(s) and structural consultant(s).

Typically in most of the states of India, the regulatory and approving authorities issue an Occupancy Certificate (OC) to the promoters of a construction project towards the end of the project. By this time, all other statutory approvals, permissions, construction, utility connections, structural/architectural checks and balances, etc. must ideally stand completed in all means.

The regulatory and approving authorities then appoint a single or multi member inspection team, who carry out a site inspection along with cursorily checking the typical approving paperwork. The Occupancy Certificate (OC) is thereafter issued to the builder/promoter, who thereafter can legally ask their customers to take the physical possession of the constructed units (apartments/ flats/ commercial/ semi-commercial dwellings, etc.)

DTCP has invited comments and suggestions from public and professional bodies by April 28, 2022 whereafter the guidelines shall be notified as compulsory rules in the State of Haryana.

Download the 'Structural Safety Guidelines' document from here:
https://tcpharyana.gov.in/public_notice/StructuralSafetyGuidelines15042022.pdf

The document runs into 10 pages of suggested guidelines, encompassing the following 8 points of consideration:

1. Background (Need of seeking updation to existing procedure)
2. Existing procedure
3. Identification of Gaps in existing procedure and remedial measures
4. Empanelment of Structural Engineer, Proof Consultant, Supervising Engineer and Geo Technical Engineer
5. Third party inspection during Construction
6. Action against complaints on quality of construction
7. Post construction Structural Audit
8. Alteration in building by allottees after Occupation Certificate

Hopefully, the updated "Structural Safety Guidelines" shall bridge the gaps of the existing approving process, which shall bring the much awaited sense of relief to the end-users of the constructed projects, who put in their hard earned life savings for owning a piece of residential dwelling and/or a commercial unit. 

They shall, to a certain extent, have peace of mind that the regulatory authorities are making the builders and real estate projects' promoters to take more onus towards adhering to the rules, and thereby, the quality and soundness of the constructed projects.

Compiled by:
Team #bricksNmortar

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