The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has initiated steps to demolish the dilapidated Signature View Apartments located in Mukherjee Nagar, north Delhi. This move comes after the DDA invited contractors to submit bids for the demolition of 336 apartments, including those belonging to the high-income group and middle-income group categories. The entire project is estimated to cost around Rs 3 crore, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for April 1.
The decision of the Signature View Apartments demolition comes after a series of events, including a recent hearing on March 14, where the Delhi High Court extended the interim stay against the demolition that was granted last year. During the hearing, the court also directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to provide a detailed explanation for declaring the Signature View Apartments as dangerous. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on April 22. It is noteworthy that the high court had previously stayed DDA’s plan to demolish the Signature View Apartments following a plea filed by some of the residents.
Despite the initiation of the tender process, a DDA official clarified that no contract would be awarded until after the court’s verdict. This move has caught many residents by surprise, including Amarendra Kumar Rakesh, the president of the Signature View Apartments Residents Welfare Association (RWA). Rakesh expressed disappointment over not being informed about the tender process beforehand.
The RWA has expressed its support for the Signature View Apartments demolition but has requested DDA to start paying compensatory rent to the evacuated residents. Rakesh highlighted the pressing safety concerns, stating that over 100 families have already vacated their apartments due to structural issues such as cracks in the buildings, pillars, and parking area.
According to DDA’s tender proposal, the selected contractor will have a total of 120 days to complete the Signature View Apartments demolition process. The agency has emphasized the importance of ensuring that there is no damage to adjacent structures or risk to human life during the demolition. DDA has also mandated that the contractor hire a proficient consultant with a proven track record in overseeing the demolition of multi-storeyed RCC structures.
The construction of the Signature View Apartments was completed between 2007 and 2010, and the apartments were allotted to residents in 2011-2012. However, concerns regarding the structural safety of the buildings began to surface shortly after, prompting residents to raise the issue with DDA. Following a study conducted by IIT-Delhi, which recommended immediate evacuation and dismantling of the buildings, the Signature View Apartments demolition process is now set to begin.
In conclusion, the Signature View Apartments demolition marks a significant development in the efforts to address the safety concerns of residents. The decision to demolish the apartments is a proactive step taken by the DDA to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents, and it underscores the importance of prioritizing structural integrity in construction projects.
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