GDA plans Structural Safety Audits for High-Rise Buildings every 3 Years

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) has drafted a proposal for its upcoming board meeting to mandate structural safety audits for all high-rise buildings every three years. Once approved, the responsibility for conducting the audits would lie with developers or residents’ welfare associations (RWAs), who must engage reputed institutions like IITs for the task. 

The proposal is set to be presented to the GDA board on January 27. However, PK Singh, GDA’s additional secretary, did not respond to calls for comment, and senior officials have yet to reply to a detailed query on the matter. 

A municipal survey in July 2024 identified 319 residential high-rise buildings, comprising 124,874 flats, within the corporation’s jurisdiction. Residents and housing associations have expressed concerns about building safety and maintenance. Alok Kumar, a founding member of the Federation of Association of Apartment Owners, highlighted unresolved issues related to the handover and takeover of buildings and projects. 

GDA officials stated that developers or RWAs/Apartment Owners’ Associations (AOAs) would also be responsible for addressing any structural defects identified during the audits. Some residents emphasized the importance of such audits, citing concerns about aging infrastructure. 

“There’s no doubt that buildings’ structural integrity deteriorates over time. Conducting audits is crucial for residents’ safety, but repairs require significant funds. Authorities must consult all stakeholders before finalizing the process,” said VK Mittal, Former President of the Kaushambi Apartments RWA. 

The proposal underscores the growing need to ensure the structural safety of high-rises in the city to safeguard residents.