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Ghaziabad authority starts probe but says won't crack whip on staff
The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) on Sunday accepted lapses on its part while initiating an internal inquiry into the collapse of the four-storeyed house in Shalimar Garden on Saturday.
The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) on Sunday accepted lapses on its part while initiating an internal inquiry into the collapse of the four-storeyed house in Shalimar Garden on Saturday.
However, it ruled out action against any officials until the investigation was over.
"We will inquire into the reasons (behind) such a major incident. We are not initiating any legal action against GDA officials related to the area," GDA vice-chairman Narendra Kumar Chaudhary said, while accepting there had been lapses on the part of officials.
"It was a structural failure and the use of inferior-quality material (was responsible for this). Our inquiry will bring more clarity on these issues as we are sending samples to test laboratories," he added.
However, the vice-chairman said the GDA's role in such cases was limited only to ensuring that the construction adhered to building by-laws.
"We don't supervise any structural changes and use of inferior quality of material. This is the responsibility of the private builder's qualified engineer/architect," he added.
GDA town-planner Jyoti Prasad on Saturday told Hindustan Times the area allowed for the basement was 87 square metres, but the builder allegedly was constructing a basement of around 433 square metres.
