Overseeing construction

Since the issue has a direct bearing on human lives, it needs to be handled with utmost seriousness. Formation of a regulatory body has been long overdue, given the chaotic picture of unsupervised construction, especially of multi-storied buildings. It is a matter of great worry that corruption has had its debilitating effect on the entire process of design approval through use of materials to engineering aspects of construction. Dishonesty in such matters could only mean loss of lives and property under the most unfortunate circumstances. Obviously, tightening the noose of the law is the only way to deal with the murderous practice of approving faulty designs that entail the high risk of allowing construction of structurally and technically unsound buildings. Sadly enough, a large number of owners have not been sensitive to the need for maintaining safety standards, even though it recoiled on them in the ultimate analysis. They are violating the Building Code at almost every stage of erecting a high structure.

The vulnerable buildings need to be identified as a matter of first priority. The dilapidated structures have to be demolished and the weak ones re-strengthened. Finally, the under-construction buildings and the new projects must be made to comply with safety standards.

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The hazards associated with shoddily raised buildings are many. The experts have long been telling us that a devastating earthquake may strike us any time. So it is doubly important to bolster our defences and raise the preparedness level against such an eventuality.

The government should pay heed to the suggestion put forward by the experts and work out how an effective mechanism for overseeing construction can be evolved in the interest of all concerned.