Noida Authority seeks agency for structural safety audit of buildings

Time of India

10-05-2025

Consultants will be empanelled to conduct detailed inspections, assess structural integrity using non-destructive testing, and recommend necessary actions like repairs or demolition. Priority will be given to buildings showing visible signs of distress.
NOIDA:
Noida Authority
is initiating a comprehensive structural safety audit of multistorey buildings to ensure the structural integrity of high-rises in the city. To carry out this crucial task, the
Authority
has issued a
Request
for
Proposal
(RFP) for the empanelment of consultants who will be responsible for conducting these audits.
This move is important considering Noida's rapid urbanisation, rising population density, and past construction-related concerns.
A Noida Authority official stated that there are currently 167 group housing societies in the city. "In addition to these, there are numerous buildings in the commercial, industrial, and IT sectors. From time to time, we receive complaints or requests regarding the structural condition of some buildings.
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In response, we have decided to empanel consultants to carry out audits whenever such complaints are received," the official said.
He clarified that a blanket audit of all buildings across Noida is not on the cards at this stage. However, buildings that are visibly distressed—showing cracks in walls, beams, or columns, signs of leakage, or even tilting—will be prioritised for inspection and necessary action.
As per the RFP document, the empanelled consultants will be responsible for conducting detailed visual health inspections of buildings, covering both internal and external structures as well as common areas.
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"The inspections will involve the use of light tapping hammers and detailed marking of visible defects on floor plans, along with documentation of the extent and nature of deterioration. The consultants will also assess damage to Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) components such as slabs, beams, columns, and staircases using Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods, supported by calibration charts for each building," it said.
In addition to identifying the root causes of structural damage—including water seepage, material fatigue, and other forms of distress—the consultants will evaluate the overall structural integrity, safety, and serviceability of the buildings. Their final recommendations shall include repair, retrofitting, or in extreme cases, demolition.
They will also be required to participate in review meetings with the Noida Authority, especially if any modifications to architectural drawings, specifications, or materials are proposed as part of the remedial process.
The consultants will be expected to submit a preliminary report summarising their findings, followed by a comprehensive structural audit report that includes test results, photographic evidence, observations, conclusions, and repair strategies.
The last date for submitting applications is June 5, while a pre-bid meeting is scheduled for May 20. The bids will be opened on June 6.
The structural audit policy was first introduced by the Noida Authority in November 2022.
Initially, it mandated that reputed engineering institutions—such as IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, BITS Pilani, Delhi Technical University (DTU), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), MNIT Jaipur, and the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee—would conduct the audits.
Starting April 1, 2023, it was made compulsory for builders to submit a structural safety report from one of these institutions while applying for partial or full occupancy certificates.
To oversee the implementation of this policy, a committee was formed comprising the Additional CEO as chairperson, along with senior officials including DGM (civil), OSD (group housing), GM (planning), DGM (TAC), and representatives from the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) and the Noida Federation of Apartment Owners Associations (NOFAA).
However, despite several requests from residents' welfare associations, the committee failed to conduct any site inspections over the past year. Internal coordination issues within the panel were cited as the primary reason for the lack of progress and failure to generate actionable reports.
- Noida Authority issued an RFP to empanel consultants for conducting structural safety audits of multi-storey buildings.
- Noida has 167 group housing societies with high-rise buildings.
- There are several other buildings which fall under commercial, industrial, and IT sectors.
- Audits will be conducted in response to complaints or specific requests.
- A blanket audit of all buildings is not planned.
- Older buildings and those showing signs of distress such as cracks, leakages, or tilting will get immediate attention.
- Consultants to conduct visual health inspections of internal, external, and common areas.
- Assess damage to RCC components (slabs, beams, columns, staircases) using Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) with calibration charts.
- Identify causes of damage like seepage, material fatigue, etc.
- Evaluate structural integrity, safety, and serviceability.
- Recommend repair, retrofitting, or demolition if necessary.