Residents of the Signature View Apartment in Mukherjee Nagar, northwest Delhi, have received an eviction notice from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), declaring the housing society “unfit for human habitation.” The notice, dated December 18, mandates that occupants vacate the premises within seven days due to safety concerns related to 12 specific towers within the complex.
The apartment complex, comprising 336 flats categorized as Middle-Income Group (MIG) and High-Income Group (HIG), constructed between 2007-2009, faces structural issues, leading the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to decide on the demolition of these towers.
Citing construction flaws and residents’ complaints about the building’s quality, the decision to dismantle the towers was made following recommendations from a structural consultant engaged by the DDA. The National Council of Cement and Building Material (NCCBM) was also involved, offering suggestions for remedial actions. Additionally, the DDA sought insights from the structural consultant at IIT-Delhi and conducted tests on building material samples at the Shri Ram Institute of Industrial Research (SLR) in Delhi.
The structural consultant’s report highlighted chloride presence, exceeding permissible levels, leading to concrete deterioration and reinforcement corrosion, rendering the towers unsafe for occupation. Consequently, the notice asserted that towers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and L posed risks not only to occupants but also to passersby and neighboring areas.
The Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) expressed readiness to vacate the premises, contingent upon receiving rent from the authority until new flats are reconstructed. RWA president Amrendra Kumar Rakesh emphasized the need for compensation upon eviction, acknowledging the dangerous state of the structures and advocating for their prompt demolition.
The DDA had initially proposed rent payments contingent upon the vacation of all 336 flats, a condition contested by the RWA due to challenges in acquiring keys from all owners simultaneously. The RWA urged the authority to revise the vacation clause from 100% to 75% for rent eligibility.
The unfolding situation at Signature View Apartment highlights safety concerns, structural deficiencies, and the impending evacuation of residents, with negotiations ongoing between the RWA and the DDA regarding compensation and evacuation procedures.
Sources By Agencies
