The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has voiced apprehension regarding the deteriorating state of Alaknanda Towers, a multi-story residential complex situated in Vaishali. The authority has recently instructed the building's inhabitants to vacate immediately, remaining away until retrofitting and renovation activities are brought to completion.
In a communique addressed to Alaknanda Towers Resident Welfare Agency (RWA) dated March 6, GDA Chief Engineer WN Singh specified that the renovation would require approximately Rs 3.5 crore. Suggesting a willingness to contribute, the letter notes the agency's partial ownership of apartments within the complex. The letter also stated that RWA is fully responsible in the case of an adverse event.
Structural Integrity Assessment
Notably, the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) had declared Alaknanda Towers—comprising 10 floors and 79 apartments—unsafe back in August 2018. The GMC's assessment deemed the complex hazardous not only for its inhabitants but also for those residing in the vicinity. Subsequently, in 2019, the Faculty of Engineering at Jamia Millia Islamia University conducted a thorough safety assessment of the tower. Their investigation concluded that while the structure possesses inherent soundness, it is in need of maintenance and retrofitting interventions.
However, the complex's residents' associations have reacted with outrage to the GDA's missive. They are asserting that these necessary repairs fall under the purview of the authorities themselves. The GDA, however, has refuted this claim, stating that maintenance responsibilities were never officially transferred to the RWA and that it was done so in 2011 in the presence of RWA officials.
RWA's Legal Challenge
According to Amit Kumar, an official representative of the RWA, "The building is constantly deteriorating and the GDA will be completely liable for any mishap or loss of life. We have also questioned the GDA stance in Allahabad High Court and also lodged the complaint with the State grievance redressal portal. If the maintenance was outsourced to RWA, how did the authority set up a fire-fighting in the apartment? Recently, it also advertised an ad for unsold flats in the society". The GDA tower reportedly possesses around 23 unoccupied apartments.
The RWA has further contested GDA's claims regarding maintenance responsibilities, asserting that through Right to Information requests, they obtained a delivery note lacking official seals or GDA letterhead. The RWA reports its establishment dating back to 2015.
In contrast, a high-ranking GDA spokesperson proposed that the RWA has options. “Either they pay for the retrofitting and maintenance work. Or they should make an agreement with a builder to construct a new tower with a higher FRA. Thus, the developer will receive additional floors to sell and the owners will receive new flats for free."