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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Illegal construction begins at sector 17 collapsed building site, Chandigarh DC orders probe
CHANDIGARH : In what it appears to be a blatant violation of norms, illegal construction has started at a site in Sector 17 which once housed a famous three-bay building that collapsed on Jan 6 all due to gross negligence and violation of safety measures. While the debris of the collapsed building was cleared from the site a few days back, multiple iron columns have now come up at the spot despite the fact that the UT estate office has not approved a revised building plan for the site so far. The estate office has now decided to probe the entire matter. With the said site being completely covered from all sides with huge tin sheds, the iron columns are not visible from the ground level. But these can be clearly seen from upper storeys of nearby buildings. The TOI too captured a clear view of the site and found fresh iron columns installed at the spot, indicating that the work has been going on for the past few days. Nishant Kumar Yadav, deputy commissioner (DC)-cum-estate officer of the Chandigarh administration, said, "No revised building plan for the collapsed building in Sector 17 has been approved till date. In fact, no building plan has been submitted for approval at the estate office. In the absence of the revised building plan, no construction is allowed at the collapsed building site." Sources in the Chandigarh administration revealed that there is a laid-down process and procedure for constructing commercial and residential buildings in Chandigarh. "For commercial buildings, applications for building plans must be submitted to the UT estate office. The Chandigarh administration's technical and administrative staff review the plan at designated stages. Upon successful completion of all steps, the Estate Office issues the building plan, authorising construction in accordance with Estate Rules and regulations." "Additionally, the Chandigarh administration has established a plan approval committee (PAC), consisting of senior technical and administrative officers from various departments, including engineering and architecture. For significant and critical building approval cases, the PAC conducts thorough evaluations, considering all relevant rules and standards before reaching decisions on submitted building plans," sources added. The structural integrity of the building adjacent to the collapsed area appears severely compromised, with visible deterioration evident across various sections of its exterior. A thorough assessment is necessary to determine if installing iron columns at the impacted location would be a feasible solution, given the concerning state of the surrounding structure. Following the collapse, the UT administration had already sent its detailed fact-finding report to Chandigarh Police to probe the matter. Major lapses led to collapse Jan 6 | Just 10 days after it was declared unsafe for occupancy, a three-bay building in Chandigarh's one of most important commercial hubs, Sector 17, collapsed in the early hours on Monday. The structure (SCO 183-185) had been evacuated and sealed off since December 27 after being deemed unsafe. Jan 28 | Almost three weeks after the collapse of a building in Sector 17 on Jan 6, UT Police have filed a case against nine individuals for allegedly making structural modifications which caused the incident. April 20 | UT administration began removing debris from the building that collapsed in Sector 17. The work is supervised by the National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research (NITTTR). April 27 | The fact-finding inquiry report of the UT administration found both the lessee and owner of the building in Sector 17 responsible for its collapse. In his detailed inquiry, the SDM of the Chandigarh administration's central division found that despite knowing that the structural stability certificate had not been procured, they renovated and altered the structure, ignoring the possible risks. The report revealed that no safety measures had been taken even during repair work of the building. Moreover, no revised building plans had been passed by the estate office, and an objection was already placed. However, the lessee and owner ignored this and initiated renovation work.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Illegal construction begins at Sec 17 collapsed bldg site, DC orders probe
1 2 Chandigarh: In what it appears to be a blatant violation of norms, illegal construction has started at a site in Sector 17 which once housed a famous three-bay building that collapsed on Jan 6 all due to gross negligence and violation of safety measures. While the debris of the collapsed building was cleared from the site a few days back, multiple iron columns have now come up at the spot despite the fact that the UT estate office has not approved a revised building plan for the site so far. The estate office has now decided to probe the entire matter. With the said site being completely covered from all sides with huge tin sheds, the iron columns are not visible from the ground level. But these can be clearly seen from upper storeys of nearby buildings. The TOI too captured a clear view of the site and found fresh iron columns installed at the spot, indicating that the work has been going on for the past few days. Nishant Kumar Yadav, deputy commissioner (DC)-cum-estate officer of the Chandigarh administration, said, "No revised building plan for the collapsed building in Sector 17 has been approved till date. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo In fact, no building plan has been submitted for approval at the estate office. In the absence of the revised building plan, no construction is allowed at the collapsed building site." Sources in the Chandigarh administration revealed that there is a laid-down process and procedure for constructing commercial and residential buildings in Chandigarh. "For commercial buildings, applications for building plans must be submitted to the UT estate office. The Chandigarh administration's technical and administrative staff review the plan at designated stages. Upon successful completion of all steps, the Estate Office issues the building plan, authorising construction in accordance with Estate Rules and regulations. " "Additionally, the Chandigarh administration has established a plan approval committee (PAC), consisting of senior technical and administrative officers from various departments, including engineering and architecture. For significant and critical building approval cases, the PAC conducts thorough evaluations, considering all relevant rules and standards before reaching decisions on submitted building plans," sources added. The structural integrity of the building adjacent to the collapsed area appears severely compromised, with visible deterioration evident across various sections of its exterior. A thorough assessment is necessary to determine if installing iron columns at the impacted location would be a feasible solution, given the concerning state of the surrounding structure. Following the collapse, the UT administration had already sent its detailed fact-finding report to Chandigarh Police to probe the matter. Major lapses led to collapse Jan 6 | Just 10 days after it was declared unsafe for occupancy, a three-bay building in Chandigarh's one of most important commercial hubs, Sector 17, collapsed in the early hours on Monday. The structure (SCO 183-185) had been evacuated and sealed off since December 27 after being deemed unsafe. Jan 28 | Almost three weeks after the collapse of a building in Sector 17 on Jan 6, UT Police have filed a case against nine individuals for allegedly making structural modifications which caused the incident. April 20 | UT administration began removing debris from the building that collapsed in Sector 17. The work is supervised by the National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research (NITTTR). April 27 | The fact-finding inquiry report of the UT administration found both the lessee and owner of the building in Sector 17 responsible for its collapse. In his detailed inquiry, the SDM of the Chandigarh administration's central division found that despite knowing that the structural stability certificate had not been procured, they renovated and altered the structure, ignoring the possible risks. The report revealed that no safety measures had been taken even during repair work of the building. Moreover, no revised building plans had been passed by the estate office, and an objection was already placed. However, the lessee and owner ignored this and initiated renovation work.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Chandigadh rricity strengthens emergency readiness with Op Shield drills
Mock drills and blackout rehearsals were conducted across Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula as part of the nationwide second civil defence exercise 'Operation Shield'. In Chandigarh, a scenario involving an attack by a swarm of enemy drones was simulated at the Air Force Station. In response to the simulated threat, the station commander sought immediate assistance from the civil administration to evacuate families from the station premises to a safer location. Upon receiving the request, the health department, fire services and civil defence units were promptly activated. The injured were triaged on site, and those with serious conditions were swiftly transported to the nearest hospital. Remaining evacuees were relocated to the Community Centre in Sector 47, where comprehensive medical check-ups and treatment were provided. Further, a coordinated 10-minute blackout drill from 8 pm to 8.10 pm was also observed by all residents of Kishangarh and IT Park. Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said the response of residents during the blackout drill reflected city's shared commitment to collective safety and civil defence preparedness. He extended gratitude to residents, civil defence volunteers and all departments involved, noting the seamless execution of the drill without disruption or confusion. The exercise aimed to test and enhance the coordination, preparedness and response capabilities of civil and defence agencies in the event of an emergency, he added. Over at Mohali, as soon as an air raid siren was sounded, emergency response teams rushed to the building of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited Storage-cum-Bottling Plant at Lalru around 6 pm. The entire operation was supervised by Anmol Singh Dhaliwal, additional deputy commissioner (Rural Development). Dera Bassi SDM Amit Gupta, while briefing details, said the mock drill included Home Guards (Civil Defence), NDRF, fire fighting and medical teams and local administration. He said after sounding the air raid siren, a rescue operation was immediately started to save civilians/workers stuck in the plant. As many as 20 stranded persons were rescued by the teams and rushed to designated health facilities by ambulances. Deputy commissioner Komal Mittal said the mock drill was exercised as per the part of the Operation Shield to check preparedness and real response time. Gupta added that a blackout was also enforced from 8 pm to 8.30 pm in the municipal limits of Dera Bassi and Lalru towns, barring emergency services establishments like hospitals and nursing homes. He said residents had been alerted about the blackout in the day time to abide with all precautions to replicate real-time emergency conditions by switching off lights, street lights and vehicle lights. In Panchkula, a comprehensive mock drill was conducted at the PWD rest house in Sector 1. The exercise, overseen by deputy commissioner Monika Gupta, simulated an emergency evacuation, swiftly moving individuals from the building to safety. At 5 pm, a blaring siren initiated the drill, prompting a rapid and coordinated response from various departments. Police, Home Guard, fire department, civil defence, Red Cross, Mera Yuva Bharat volunteers, and other relevant agencies quickly deployed their resources to the site. Fire department personnel efficiently deployed ladders, rescuing people from the first and second floors using stretchers, ropes and manual carries. All evacuees were then promptly transported to secure locations and hospitals via ambulances and buses, demonstrating effective inter-departmental coordination. Blackout faces criticism over siren, public compliance The 15-minute blackout observed in Panchkula from 8 pm to 8.15 pm revealed several shortcomings, according to local residents and welfare associations. Many resident welfare associations reported that sirens failed to sound in their sectors, contradicting claims of sufficient installations. Deputy commissioner Monika Gupta said the lapses will be examined. Some RWAs also pointed out lack of public participation, with many failing to switch off lights and usual traffic continuing during the blackout period. SK Nayar, president of the Citizens' Welfare Association, and Ravinder Sharma, president of the Senior Citizens' Welfare Council, confirmed not hearing sirens in their respective Sector-15 and Sector-11 residential areas.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Chandigarh, Panchkula to observe mock drills, blackouts today
In a bid to improve coordination among the civil administration, emergency services, and armed forces in an event of war-like or hostile situation, mock drills and blackouts will be organised in Chandigarh and Panchkula under the initiative 'Operation Shield'. A 10-minute blackout will be observed in the Kishangarh and IT Park areas of Chandigarh on Saturday from 8 pm to 8.10 pm. The exercise is being coordinated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and will take place across states and Union Territories along the western border to enhance emergency response capabilities. In Chandigarh, the blackout will simulate emergency conditions in the event of a hostile attack. Additionally, a mock drill will be held at the Community Centre in Sector 47, simulating a drone attack on a military station. As part of the scenario, 20 civilians will be evacuated, and the medical response system will be tested, including the arrangement of 30 units of blood and deployment of medical teams for the injured. It will involve civil defence volunteers, Home Guards, NCC, NSS, NGOs, and local authorities. Key activities will include air raid simulations, drone and missile threat drills, operation of air raid sirens, and communication exercises between civil and military control rooms. The Border Wing Home Guards will also be mobilised as part of rear area security support for the Indian Army. Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav has directed all departments under the Chandigarh Administration to participate fully and extend complete cooperation to ensure the success of the drill. Meanwhile, a 15-minute blackout will be observed throughout Panchkula district on Saturday, from 8 pm to 8:15 pm. Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Monika Gupta announced that the blackout is being organised to raise awareness and test readiness during hostile conditions. Citizens were urged to turn off all indoor and outdoor lighting, avoid using mobile flashlights or any light sources, and remain alert while cooperating fully with the administration.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
UT to develop portal to keep track of schedule H drugs
Chandigarh: For real-time monitoring of all schedule H drugs, the Chandigarh administration will develop a portal where chemists can upload records of such drugs available with them. Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav chaired a meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) on Tuesday to discuss prevailing issues related to drug trafficking, substance abuse, and associated public health and safety concerns within the UT. The meeting aimed to reinforce enforcement mechanisms, streamline inter-departmental coordination, and ensure effective ground-level execution of anti-drug measures. During the deliberations, Yadav directed all sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) to inspect a minimum of three chemist shops per month in their respective jurisdictions. These inspections are to be conducted in collaboration with drug inspectors to ensure comprehensive compliance with regulatory norms governing the sale and distribution of pharmaceutical substances. A key focus of the directive was to ensure that all chemist shops within UT Chandigarh are equipped with functional and strategically positioned CCTV cameras providing full visual coverage of the shop premises. It is also mandated that all such CCTV systems maintain a minimum backup storage capacity of 30 days of recorded footage. This measure is being instituted as a deterrent against illegal activities and to strengthen accountability in the pharmaceutical retail sector. It was further emphasised that any instance of non-compliance or regulatory violation identified during such inspections shall attract strict punitive action in accordance with the relevant provisions of law. The district information officer was directed to develop a portal where chemists can upload records of all scheduled-H drugs available with them for real-time monitoring. Officials of the health department were directed to start a drug de-addiction centre at GMSH Sector 16, Chandigarh. Additionally, the education department, UT Chandigarh, has been instructed to undertake a comprehensive survey to identify and eliminate the presence of any tobacco vendors operating within a 100-yard radius of educational institutions. A consolidated report on the action taken is to be submitted to the superintendent of police (crime), UT, within 15 days from the date of issuance of this directive. Furthermore, the police department and education department have been jointly tasked with preparing and implementing a structured action plan aimed at conducting awareness campaigns and educational programmes to sensitize students and youth about the dangers of drug abuse. These initiatives are intended to build resilience, promote healthy lifestyle choices, and foster a drug-free environment across the city. The meeting also took note of the nationwide launch of the Tele MANAS (Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) initiative by the govt of India. This programme offers round-the-clock mental health counselling and support services through telephone and digital platforms. The primary objective of Tele MANAS is to provide timely emotional support, coping strategies, and professional referrals to individuals experiencing psychological distress, mental health disorders, or stress-related issues. Citizens are encouraged to avail themselves of the free and confidential services of Tele MANAS by calling the national mental health helpline number 14416.
