The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has proposed a new policy requiring a structural safety audit of all high-rise buildings every three years, as published by Hindustan Times.
The safety audit would be conducted by a reputable institution, such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and the audit certificate must be submitted to the GDA.
This proposal, which is expected to be presented at the GDA’s board meeting on January 27, is part of the authority’s efforts to ensure the safety of residents. If approved, developers or residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) will be responsible for arranging the audits.
GDA spokesperson Rudresh Shukla stated that if a building is still under the developer’s ownership, the developer would make arrangements for the audit. However, if the building has been handed over to residents, the RWA or apartment owners’ association (AOA) would be in charge.
Shukla also explained that the developer or RWA/AOA would be required to address any defects found during the audit. The measure aims to assure residents that their buildings are structurally safe to live in.
The proposal has raised concerns among some residents and experts. VK Mittal, former president of the Kaushambi Apartments RWA, emphasized that building structures deteriorate over time and audits are necessary for residents’ safety. However, Mittal urged authorities to consult stakeholders on how to manage the process, especially since repairs often require significant funding.
A July 2024 survey by the municipal corporation revealed that Ghaziabad contains about 319 residential high-rises, totaling nearly 125,000 flats. Alok Kumar, a founding member of the Federation of Association of Apartment Owners, pointed out that issues surrounding the handover of buildings could complicate the implementation of the proposal. He noted that many projects still lack completion certificates, and there are ongoing disputes over maintenance responsibilities between developers and RWAs.
The GDA has not yet finalized details regarding enforcement mechanisms. Shukla reassured that the authority has the power to address safety issues and can recover repair costs through recovery certificates in case of non-compliance.
The board will review the proposal and enforcement plans during the upcoming meeting.