Gurugram: Fresh scare at Chintels Paradiso over cracks in balconies

GURUGRAM: After complaints of fresh cracks in the balconies of towers E and F of Chintels Paradiso, the housing society where a vertical collapse of five living room floors left two residents dead earlier this year, set alarm bells ringing again, a team from the district town and country planning department (DTCP) visited the flats for a survey.

The district town planner, who visited the society, said the balconies of some apartments in the two towers need immediate attention.

Gurugram ‘s deputy commissioner is likely to visit the society on Wednesday, following which the future course of action will be decided. The cave-in happened at Tower D on February 10, which was vacated after that.

“After we were alerted by the society’s residents about the cracks, we conducted an urgent inspection of different floors of towers E and F on Monday night,” district town planner (enforcement) Amit Madholia said.

“During the inspection, we found that one of the balconies on the fourth floor of Tower E was sagged. Many other balconies in both the towers are in a dilapidated condition.”

According to the town planner, immediate measures to strengthen the balconies were undertaken by the developer after the DTCP team issued directions to that effect.

“We have also sought a list of occupants in these two towers. During the visit, a detailed discussion was also held with the residents on the matter to get their views on the situation.”

Madholia also said that deputy commissioner Nishant Yadav was apprised of the situation on Tuesday.

“It was decided that a committee led by him will visit the project site on Wednesday, following which the next course of action will be decided,” he said.

The Gurugram DC told TOI that he, along with the additional deputy commissioner, will visit the project site soon and examine the seriousness of the situation and the extent of damage in the balconies of the two towers.

“Based on the visit, the authorities will decide on corrective action to be taken in the affected towers,” he said.

Sources, however, said that both the towers could be vacated for the safety of residents and, therefore, a decision on repair work will be taken on the basis of the audit report.

A Chintels spokesperson said, “The safety of our residents is our top priority. If the towers are vacated and the government grants permission, then the repair and restoration work can begin. There will be more clarity when the result of the structural audit comes. However, the role of the contractor, Bhayana Builders, be investigated by the authorities, as they were responsible for the same as per our agreement.”

Despite repeated attempts by TOI, the contractor couldn’t be contacted.