Meeting called to discuss crumbling Gurugram high-rise

Following complaints of residents about chunks of plaster coming off in a few balconies in the high-rise towers at Uniworld Garden 2 in Sector 47 on Sohna Road, the district town planning department (DTP) Gurugram has called a meeting on Wednesday to fix responsibility for maintenance of their buildings.

The DTP has sent letters to the residents’ welfare association (RWA) of Uniworld Garden 2 and Unitech Group executives, asking them to be present in the meeting. The residents said that two instances of collapsing of upper layer (plasters) of walls in balconies have led to panic in the society.

Joginder Singh, president, RWA, Uniworld Garden 2, said, “On August 2 and 5, three such cases were reported in blocks B, C and D. We tried our level best to talk to the developer. Not one official from Unitech cared to take note of our plight and consider our request for a safety audit inspection. We then approached MLA and state PWD minister Rao Narbir Singh, who directed the DTP to fix the responsibility for this mess. The residents are worried in the light of these incidents and need a word of assurance from the builder and the authorities that their buildings are safe.”

Residents started getting possession of flats at Uniworld Garden 2 three years ago. The project, comprising 16 towers with 14 floors each, was launched in 2009 and the apartments were to be delivered in 2011-12. The residents said that the developer started offering possession in 2015-16.

Deepak Jain, a resident, said, “A huge chunk of plaster fell off early morning on August 2. We were worried and informed the RWA to take up the matter with the developer. However, the developer turned a blind eye to our plight.” The residents said although Uniworld Garden is a plush society, such incidents only serve to put seeds of doubts in the minds of residents on the safety of these structures.Vipul Aggarwal, another resident, said, “We want DTP to direct a safety audit of the building and fix the responsibility for maintenance.”

A senior executive of the Unitech Group, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that the plater collapse incident isn’t a big issue.“I am not aware of the meeting (called by the DTP). I will enquire from my staff and act accordingly,” the Unitech executive said.

DTP officials said the meeting has been called to discuss the maintenance of high-rises in the city.RS Bhatth, district town planner (DTP), said, “I have called representatives of both residents and developers to discuss the matter. We’ll put our heads together and find a way to address the safety concerns of residents.”

First Published: Aug 22, 2018 04:12 IST