Panel formed to inform MCD of dangerous buildings

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Wednesday announced to form a panel of structural engineers which will advise the civic body on structural safety status of buildings in the city. HT reports.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Wednesday announced to form a panel of structural engineers which will advise the civic body on structural safety status of buildings in the city.

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"This panel will be similar to the advocates' panel we have for legal issues. Structural engineers would assess all threatened buildings in the capital for structural safety and advise us on the course of action to be taken," Municipal Commissioner K.S. Mehra told the MCD's Standing Committee meeting.

In the wee hours on Wednesday, six persons died when their four-storey building collapsed in Brahmpuri area in North East Delhi.

Mehra said there would be two options depending on the advise of the panel. Either the building has to be demolished if it is a dangerous building or there is an option of retrofitting, if the building's design permits.

"However, expenses for whatever repairs, retrofitting, etc., needs to be done should be borne by the owners," he clarified.