Wall collapse in Jodhpur, ceiling collapse in Naranpura and whole building collapse in Odhav
The blame game has started after one person died and four were injured in the Odhav building collapse incident. Local authorities have washed their hands off the matter by saying that the residents had been warned and the building had been sealed off. In June 2018, a wall of Mukhyamantri Awas Yojna had collapsed. Earlier this month, a water tank had collapsed in the Sarkari Awas Yojna in Gomtipur and on Saturday, two buildings collapsed at Odhav Sarkari Vasahat.
Questions have been raised about why government buildings are so fragile. Civil engineer and former vice chancellor of Gujarat University, MN Patel, said quality matters a lot. "Most of such buildings are constructed on a local dump site, where proper compaction has not been done before laying the foundation. Also, material quality used is not good, which is a cause for concern. Again, such units lack proper maintenance. After every three years, the building needs proper colouring which is not happening there," said Patel.
Real estate developer Vijay Shah said, "There is a huge difference in monitoring between private and government buildings. When a private builder is doing such work, there are many checks by the government. There are a series of documents that need to be followed. Also, builders have their own reputation and accordingly, they provide the best quality of structures."
"On the other hand, when the government is constructing houses for the poor, they are giving it to contractors. Moreover, they select contractors who offer the lowest price. Quality can't be maintained when units are being built at a lower price, also keeping the contractor's profit in mind," added Shah.
AMC issues notice to rickety buildings
When the estate department finds dilapidated or rickety structures, they issue a notice stating the building is unsafe. "During site visit, we check the building structure. If it needs repair, then in the issued notice, we mention that it needs repair. For rickety buildings, we mention that the building is unsafe and should be evacuated immediately. The concerned police station is also informed," said Chaitanya Shah, estate officer of new west zone, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).
There is one guideline for Awas Yojnas. "There is a common standard for different Awas Yojana since 2012. With a minor structural design difference. Criteria and specification changes as per the classification of the building of EWS, LIG or MIG. Construction methodology remain same for all buildings. All these have been mentioned in the tenders when it has been floated," said Harpal Zala, additional city engineer, AMC.
Former leader of opposition Badruddin Shaikh is asking to pay heed at one of the sites where the construction is of poor quality. "EWS Sikandar Bakht Yojna is just seven years old and cracks have already developed on the walls. After Odhav's incident, people are afraid to live in the houses. The contactor should be punished in these cases, where negligence is clearly seen. Also, rehabilitation of the resident must be done immediately to prevent calamity."
Interestingly, the old building of AMC's Octroi office's commercial unit has received a notice for evacuation.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Odhav building collapse")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}