Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan faces mounting pressure from Congress MLAs/MPs to expedite the issuance of deemed conveyance for 20,000 buildings across the city. This move aims to streamline their redevelopment processes and prevent further mishaps.

In the aftermath of a tragic building collapse in the Mumbai North constituency, claiming seven lives, concerns have been raised about the safety of approximately 4,000 societies awaiting deemed conveyance. Alarmingly, nearly 55 buildings in this area have been flagged as hazardous. Mumbai North (MP) Sanjay Nirupam emphasized the urgency for the CM to spearhead efforts to accelerate the conveyance process, facilitating smoother redevelopment procedures. He highlighted the predicament of old structures, which, despite being vacated, cannot be demolished due to disagreements between societies and developers.

BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte stressed the imperative for strict demolition measures to safeguard human lives. He noted that Saturday’s tragedy could have been averted if the BMC had demolished the building, vacated three years prior. Ideally, it should have been reconstructed promptly. However, delays in the deemed conveyance process, attributed to developers’ reluctance, continue to impede progress despite government interventions, lamented Nirupam.

The state government’s initiative to establish guidelines for buildings resistant to explosives has encountered a lack of progress, despite the committee entrusted with addressing the issue submitting its report in February of the previous year. Originating in response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the state government had hailed this endeavor as a pioneering initiative.

M.V. Mirani, the committee chairperson who presented the report, remains optimistic that the recommendations outlined in the report will be given due consideration. Despite submitting the report in February and following up in March, with detailed manuals prepared by September, there has been no substantial discussion on the recommendations for the entire state. Mirani expressed, “We had readied manuals for safety and security, encompassing guidelines for a physical protection system, a reference manual on surveillance systems, electrification, fire safety, and the evaluation and auditing of buildings vulnerable to terror attacks.”

The government resolution aimed to establish a committee to assess the feasibility of explosive-resistant buildings and integrate surveillance systems into public buildings. However, a state government official cited a lack of review meetings for the report due to officers being preoccupied with other matters.

The Urban Development Department had issued directives, and based on the committee’s recommendations and terms of reference, the government was expected to implement necessary changes in the development control rules regarding the security aspects of such buildings.

The eight-member committee, including representatives from Southern Command, Pune, the Anti-Terrorism Squad chief, deputy secretary of the UDD department, Bombay Municipal Corporation chief engineer, chief fire officer, an expert on blast-resistant buildings, and deputy director of town planning, had set forth design parameters for explosive-resistant buildings, surveillance systems, building illumination, and police chowkies in all public buildings.

In Mohali, the inaugural ceremony of the Punjab Forest Complex in Sector 68 is set to be officiated by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal this Saturday, marking the first-ever implementation of cutting-edge “green building design” principles in the region. The new facility will serve as the state headquarters for the Forests and Wildlife Preservation department, consolidating various wings currently operating from different rented spaces in Chandigarh.

Impressively, the construction of the complex, hailed as a noteworthy achievement, overcame significant technical challenges due to its unique curvilinear design in both plan and elevation, resulting in distinct designs for each floor. Commencing with the laying of the foundation stone by Badal on October 7, 2008, the civil construction work for the basement, ground, and seven stories was swiftly completed in record time.

Aligned with “green building design” principles, the Forest Complex prioritizes energy conservation. The façade features high-performance glass, enabling ample light penetration while mitigating heat. Moreover, the integration of sensors ensures the automatic shutdown of air-conditioners and lights in unoccupied areas. A notable feature contributing to natural cooling is the expansive central courtyard featuring a cascading waterfall.

The construction process, a testament to collaborative efforts, involved a workforce of over 200 skilled individuals working with urgency to bring the project to fruition. The result is a state-of-the-art building that not only meets functional requirements but also sets a precedent for sustainable and environmentally conscious architectural practices in the region.