No survey done to check building violations

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 9

Even after a number of persons have lost their lives in building collapses in the city, no survey has been carried out to check the violations of building bylaws and lack of fire safety arrangements in commercial, industrial and other buildings in the city.

Recently, five persons died and several injured in a factory roof collapse mishap at Baba Mukand Singh Nagar on Daba Road in Ludhiana. The questions are being raised when the authorities concerned will ensure checking of violations of building bylaws and fire safety norms in the high-rising buildings, factories, educational institutes, hospitals, offices and other units in the city and when will they take action?

Laxity in bylaws

• Even after a number of persons have lost their lives in building collapses in the city, no survey has been carried out to check the violations of building bylaws and lack of fire safety arrangements in commercial, industrial and other buildings in the city
• Recently, five persons died and several injured in a factory roof collapse mishap at Baba Mukand Singh Nagar on Daba Road in Ludhiana
• In a number of residential areas, residents have complained about illegal commercial buildings, godowns and other units but their complaints are allegedly being ignored

Following the plastic manufacturing factory fire and collapse mishap in 2017, an announcement was then made to conduct a survey to check fire safety norms and other violations in buildings but no such survey was done. Notably, 16 persons, including nine firefighters, had lost their lives in the mishap that took place near Suffian Chowk of Ludhiana. Besides, a number of other major fire mishaps have taken place in the past.

The role of the MC’s building branch is under scanner for “rampant” illegal constructions in the city. Even, a Congress MLA, Sanjay Talwar, has recently raised questions over illegal constructions in the Ludhiana East constituency areas. Sources said the illegal constructions are common in the areas that fall under other constituencies too.

In a number of residential areas, the residents have been complaining about illegal commercial buildings, godowns and other units but their complaints are allegedly being ignored. Inder Aggarwal, a former councillor said, “The violation of building bylaws is rampant in the city. The MC should conduct a survey to check violations and take required action to avert mishaps in future. The master plan of Ludhiana must be implemented in the right manner.”

Sources said no actual data was available with the MC and Punjab Fire Services about the buildings that lacked fire safety arrangements in the city. A few years ago, a report was prepared by the MC that around 2 per cent industries, commercial, educational and other institutes running in city had obtained fire safety certificates.

Chairman of the Indian Institute of Architects, Punjab Chapter, Sanjay Goel said there could be many illegal constructions in the city. “A survey should be carried out in the entire city to check the violation of building bylaws. Fire safety audit of buildings should be conducted. Necessary action should be taken against the violations”, he added.Opposition leader in MC House, Harbhajan Singh Dang said that the authorities concerned should take required steps to avert the mishaps in future. Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu said that MC will conduct a survey to check the violations in various buildings and take required action.