Only 7pc of under-construction multi-storey structures under KMC scrutiny get clearance

Kolkata, July 13 (IANS) Only around seven per cent of the under-construction multi-storey structures in and around Kolkata that came under the scanner of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) following the collapse of an under-construction warehouse at Taratala on the southern outskirts of Kolkata last month have got the clearance of the high-power committee constituted by the KMC.

Following the collapse of the three-storey warehouse at Taratala last month, which claimed 16 lives, the KMC had put a hold on the construction process of the ongoing under-construction multi-storey projects in areas under the Corporation’s jurisdiction. It also formed a high-power committee to review whether the clearances for the said constructions had been granted by the previous Trinamool Congress-run KMC board after proper scrutiny of the prescribed construction norms.

“A total of 160 under-construction multi-storey structures was reviewed by the high-power committee. On Monday, KMC Commissioner Smita Pandey submitted the report of the said high-power committee. The audit revealed that only 11 of the 160 under-construction multi-storey structures have got the clearance of the review committee. This means that only 6.87 per cent of such structures have got clearance from the high-power review committee,” said an insider in the KMC.

It is learnt that in the last three years, a total of 344 applications were submitted for the construction of multi-storey buildings in the city.

“Out of these, 200 under-construction projects were identified in the first phase. Out of these 200, the audit team members physically visited 160 sites and inspected the infrastructure and quality of work of the multi-storey buildings. Out of these 160 constructions reviewed by the high-power committee, only 11 have passed the test,” the KMC insider said.

Speaking to mediapersons, Pandey said that out of the 160 constructions physically reviewed by the members of the high-power committee, serious defects and negligence in granting clearances had been detected in 23 structures. These defects included the poor quality of construction materials and extreme indifference to the safety of workers. “The way the work was being carried out, ignoring building codes and regulations, cannot rule out the possibility of a major accident at any time,” Pandey said.

The KMC has issued a strong message that work on these 23 multi-storey buildings, where defects were found, should be stopped immediately. The files have been sent back to the developers and promoters concerned for the speedy rectification of the defects. No work can be carried out there until the defects are completely rectified in accordance with the rules.

In addition, the audit reports of the remaining 41 under-construction multi-storey structures have currently been sent to the technical sub-committee for scrutiny. Only if the green signal is received from there will the next decision be taken.

–IANS

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