In a distressing incident at the Great Value Sharanam Society in Noida's Sector 107, a house help sustained severe head injuries after being struck by chunks of falling concrete. Residents of the housing society have reported that such incidents have become increasingly frequent, exacerbated by recent rain and strong winds.
Residents Express Concern Over Safety
Bishwarup Mallick, the general secretary of the apartment owners' association (AOA), voiced deep concern over the lack of action by the builder. He stated, "We are deeply concerned about our safety and frustrated by the continued negligence of the builder and the inaction of the authorities. Large pieces of plaster and concrete are regularly falling from buildings, structural cracks are visible, and canopies are collapsing and falling apart. The domestic worker who got injured required several stitches."
The storm on Saturday further loosened plaster at several spots, leading to more chunks falling. Additionally, cracks have appeared in multiple columns of the buildings, raising further alarm among residents.
Structural Audit Findings Ignored
Earlier, on May 11, The Times of India reported that a structural audit had identified several columns as "high risk." The audit recommended the removal of all loose plaster and deteriorated concrete, followed by proper repairs, waterproofing, and replastering. However, Mallick lamented that despite these findings, the builder has failed to take adequate corrective action.
Abhishek Mittal, president of the AOA, highlighted another concern: excavation for new towers has commenced dangerously close to existing buildings, despite repeated complaints and warnings from residents about the associated risks. He urged the Noida Authority, police, and district administration to intervene immediately to prevent a potential tragedy.
Society Under Builder's Control
The society, which houses over 1,500 flats and is fully occupied, remains under the builder's control. Residents have staged protests in January of this year and last year over the ongoing issues.
When contacted, the builder management informed TOI that since the society has entered its 12th year, a comprehensive maintenance and technical close-out programme is actively progressing. They stated, "Repair work is currently in full swing. All activities are being conducted under stringent safety protocols and quality control measures. After the programme ends, there will be phased asset transition to facilitate seamless handover of the operations to the apartment owners soon."
