In a recent development, the Gurugram district administration has identified another tower in the Chintels Paradiso residential complex as “unfit for living” after a structural safety review. The inhabitants of Tower H have been instructed to leave their apartments within 15 days.
The Chintels Paradiso incident came to light on February 10, 2023, when a section of a sixth-floor flat in Tower D of the housing society gave way, causing two casualties. This event led to a thorough examination of the entire complex and a structural safety review conducted by experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.
Post-review, several towers were deemed unfit for living, and evacuation orders were issued. The latest tower to join this list is Tower H. The evacuation directive was issued by Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Gurugram, after he examined the review report.
The district administration has also warned that non-compliance with the evacuation order could lead to the enforcement of the Disaster Management Act. This would give authorities the power to evacuate the building forcibly.
Chintels Paradiso comprises nine towers. To date, five of these – Towers D, E, F, G, and H – have been labelled unsafe. A high-ranking official from the district administration warned that these towers pose a risk and any mishap could occur at any moment.
The official also suggested that the builder should bear the relocation costs of the residents. If compensation is not provided promptly, the administration may seize all its assets and reimburse the residents.
The residents are understandably worried. “We understand the risk but if we vacate the towers, we will be left homeless as the builder will not provide us with any land,” expressed Chintels RWA president Rakesh Hooda.
This incident underscores the need for rigorous safety protocols and regular audits in residential societies. It also highlights the necessity for clear guidelines and assistance for residents when their homes are declared unfit for living.
