Funding delays impede structural checks in 20 Gurugram housing complexes.

GURUGRAM: Structural audits in 20 residential societies have come to a standstill as builders and resident welfare associations (RWAs) continue to delay the deposit of necessary funds.

Despite repeated notices from the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) for over a year, no progress has been made, leaving the crucial structural safety assessments in limbo.

The issue has been discussed in three meetings convened by the deputy commissioner, yet no resolution has been reached. Initially, during the first phase of structural audits, builders covered the cost.

However, when the second phase began, they objected to bearing the expenses, prompting intervention from former Chief Minister Manohar Lal.

A decision was made that the financial burden would be shared equally between builders and RWAs. Since then, neither party has stepped forward to fulfill their obligations, resulting in indefinite delays.

Despite repeated notices over the past year, builders and RWAs have shown little urgency in addressing the matter. Amit Madholia, District Town Planner (Enforcement Wing) at DTCP, stated that multiple warnings have been issued, but the required funds have not been deposited.

He emphasized that this lack of cooperation is preventing the completion of structural audits, and the district commissioner has been informed about the situation.

The urgency of these audits became evident after the tragic incident at Chintels Paradiso society in Sector 109 on February 10, 2022, where five flats in Tower D collapsed, leading to the deaths of two women.

Following this disaster, the district administration began taking structural complaints in residential buildings more seriously, particularly reports of plaster peeling off and other warning signs. As a result, around 75 societies flagged concerns, prompting an initial round of structural inspections.

During the first phase of the audit, 15 residential societies were assessed, with all but Raheja Atharva in Sector 109 completing the process. The identified structural deficiencies were conveyed to builders, who were responsible for the cost of these audits.

However, the second phase has been plagued by financial disputes. Out of the 23 societies selected for inspection, two fell under the jurisdiction of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), reducing the number to 21.

Among them, only NBCC Heights in Sector 89 has successfully completed its structural audit after both the builder and RWA deposited the required amount.

For BPTP Park Serene in Sector 37D and Satya Hermitage in Sector 103, builders have contributed 50% of the audit fees, but their respective RWAs have yet to pay their share.

The remaining 18 societies, including Indiabulls Centrum Park, Paras Dews, ATS Tourmaline, Vatika G-21, SS Coralwood, and several others, have neither made the necessary payments nor shown any willingness to cooperate with the process.

As the deadlock persists, the structural safety of thousands of residents remains uncertain. With both builders and RWAs unwilling to take responsibility, critical safety inspections are indefinitely delayed, raising serious concerns about the stability of these residential buildings.