Panel of experts to study buildings in Moulivakkam

C Shivakumar/ ENS

Chennai:

After the collapse of the 11-floor block of building of Prime Sristi
Housing Private Limited, uncertainty over the fate of the second
building of Trust Height Project hangs in balance even as a committee
has been formed to study the structural stability of buildings in the
mixed residential zone in Moulivakkam.

CMDA sources told Express that a committee comprising of experts from
CMDA, IIT and Anna University is being formed to look into various
factors including testing of soil of the mixed residential zone.

It is learnt that the area, which is classified as farm land under the
revenue department, has clay soil and the foundation should have been
more than 25 metre deep to provide structural stability to the
building. Interestingly, the committee would be looking into these
aspects.

Besides, the committee would also probe the angle whether the
structure was constructed prior to planning approval. CMDA sources
allege work on the project started in 2011 way before an application
for planning permission was sought on February 15, 2012.

It is learnt Prime Sristi Housing Private Limited got the planning
permission for building 86 dwelling units in two buildings with
gymnasium and swimming pool on June 6, 2013 after sending in an
application on February 15, 2012. The application was forwarded to
commissioner of Kundrathur Panchayat Union at Padappai on June 6,
2013.

“It is surprising that within a year, two structures have sprung up in
the area,” sources revealed. Sources confide that the work started on
2011 itself. This is also brings to light the role of CMDA officials.
As per norms the enforcement wing gets a copy of the planning
permission and they have to check the site whether it is vacant or
not.

But in this case, there was no inspection by the enforcement wing.
What is more surprising is that two Government Orders were passed one
in November 2012 and another in May 2013 to relax development control
regulations for construction of the buildings.

While CMDA officials say the violation is minimal, but questions
remain why the special privilege to the builder who violated every
norms of CMDA. Interestingly, the builder even availed of premium
Floor Space Index of 410 square metres.



Fact file:

Builder: Prime Sristi Housing Pvt Ltd

Project: Trust Height

Dwelling units: 86

Block A: Stilt plus 11 floors

Block B: stilt, ground floor (indoor game area) plus 11 floors with
gym and open swimming pool at first floor level

Site extent: 42,907 square feet

FSI built up area: 1,11,684 square feet (premium FSI of 410sqm availed)

Structural engineer: S Nagesh

Architect: B Suganya