EO starts checks in Sector 17

Report on bylaw violations will be submitted in 10 days.

The Estate Office has started conducting checks in buildings in Sector 17 following the recent incidents where the Fire and Emergency Services Department faced problems in dousing the flames due to violations of building bylaws. A report on the violations will be submitted in 10 days.

Teams of junior engineers and sub-divisional officers of the Estate Office have started the exercise, comparing the original plans of buildings with the present situation, and listing the violations in each building.

Assistant Estate Office Balbir Singh Dhol said, “Teams started conducting checks on Saturday. In the coming days, all buildings will be covered. A report will be prepared within 10 days. After considering the extent and nature of violations, suitable action will be initiated.”

Story continues below this ad

In the past one month, there have been two major fire incidents in Sector 17. In the first incident on June 8, the building that was occupied by NIELIT since 1979 collapsed following fire. In the second incident on July 3, the floor housing Syndicate Bank’s regional office in a multi-storey building was gutted.

In both cases, firemen faced a tough time due to the changes made in violation of bylaws. Among these were metal grills installed outside doors, wooden partitions, and additional walls within the buildings. In fact, there are several buildings in Sector 17 where wooden partitions have been raised to make cabins.

The Estate Office had recently conducted a similar exercise in case of buildings whose building plans were under approval. It was found that after submission of buildings plans, changes had been made. Following this, several buildings were sealed. Later, these were opened after the owners agreed to make requisite changes.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram