Open House: What steps need to be taken to prevent incidents like the sohana building collapse ?

Encourage builders, Public to follow rules

The administration should encourage the implementation of all construction guidelines and the use of best quality material to ensure the structural integrity of buildings. Doing so in a constructive way, while taking along all stakeholders, will be even better. Besides, unauthorised activities should draw immediate action.

Anita K Tandon, Mundi Kharar

Focus needs to be on peripheral areas

The latest building collapse case has brought attention to an important issue. Unauthorised and haphazard development has been plaguing tricity's peripheral areas for years. The government should not allow construction without requisite permissions. Illegal digging should be stopped at all costs and a single window should be set up both for clearance and complaints.

Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh

Tighten the grip over construction activities

One must visit places like Sohana, Palsora, Jujhar nagar, Maloya and others in the periphery and villages that fall under the jurisdiction of tricity to find numerous buildings and structures flouting construction norms. The authorities concerned need to tighten the grip and keep a stict over such mindless constructions. Fixing responsibility of the authorities in needed before expecting the owners to fall in line.

Guneet Kaur, Mohali

Timely inspections can save lives

Timely inspection of commercial buildings must be conducted to check for compliance of building regulations. Proper patrolling must also be undertaken to check for illegal digging. Violators need to be slapped with heavy fines and strictly punished. Moreover, surveys need to be done to check for the functional emergency and safety exits in each building around.

Saikrit Gulati, Chandigarh

Depute supervisors to keep a check

After a nod is received for digging from the authorities concerned, a supervisor should be assigned to keep a check on the activities. Basements should not be allowed as it often leads to problematic situations. Heavy penalty/imprisonment should be there to keep illegal digging at bay.

Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali

Regular checks the only solution

By conducting regular inspections, ensuring use of quality products, building earthquake-proof areas can be vital. Hiring an architect can help better plann construction. If illegal digging persists, the administration should penalise the violators. Stringent guidelines, following the rules, robust measures can do wonders. A reasonable and logical approach is required for a safe and secure atmosphere.

Arpita Anand, Chandigarh

Analyse thoroughly before approving

To avoid incidents like the Sohana building collapse, authorities should be more vigilant and thorough when analysing and approving construction activities. An approval should always be followed by random on-ground checks to ensure that there are no violations of building bylaws. Deficiencies, if found, should be ceased till compliance with pecuniary fine.

SS Arora, Mohali

Strict punishment can act as detterent

The building collapse in Mohali is not an isolated incident. Similar collapses, often caused by illegal digging, have been reported often over the past few years. The administration should take necessary steps immediately. The person who caused such illegal digging should be punished with the strict punitive action to set an example.

Adish Sood, Amloh

Be extra cautious with basements

Many cases of building collapse are coming to light from the time administration has allowed construction of basements in residential areas. The owner of new building compromise safety and such additions also damage the existing neighborhood structures, resulting in collapses. The officer responsible for the area should ensure strict compliance of rules by inspecting such sites at different stages of construction. Neighboring buildings owners should also report if safety is compromised.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh

Ensure Structural engineers’ approval

In view of the Sohana building collapse, municipal authorities must ensure take some definitive steps to fix accountability. Only when a building map is approved by structural engineer should a no-objection certificate be given. If digging is required at the time of laying foundation, consent should be taken from adjacent plot owners for safety of their building. External sewage, water and electrical connection should also be given only after structural drawings are approved. Lastly it is recommended that all multistory buildings adopt appropriate Reinforced Concrete Cement framed structure norms.

Col TBS Bedi, Mohali

Follow Building and safety operations

Building and safety operations including plan reviews, building inspections need to be ensured to avoid mishaps. The authorities responsible should check where the approved constructions durable, sustainable, be it for residential buildings or commercial.The need of the hour is strict vigilance by well-trained professionals is also key in avoiding accidents.

Charu Malhotra, Mohali

Focus on enforcing all guidelines

The administration should enforce strict regulations against illegal digging and unauthorised construction. Regular inspections must be conducted, and violators should face heavy penalties. Geological surveys should be mandatory before construction to assess soil stability. Public awareness campaigns can help people understand the risks of illegal activities. Additionally, setting up a helpline for reporting unauthorized digging can encourage citizen participation in preventing such incidents.

Havisha, Chandigarh

Make structural audits compulsory

The administration should make structural audit from competent civil engineers compulsory. If the building is 15 years old, a regular structural audit is to be carried out periodically. Regular structural audits and implementing findings avoid sudden collapse of buildings and loss to both life and property.

Harjinder Singh Bhatia, Chandigarh

Robust monitoring system needed

To prevent building collapses, the administration must enforce strict regulations on construction practices, ensure regular inspections, and penalise illegal digging. Implementing a robust monitoring system with real-time alerts can help detect unauthorized activities. Additionally, promoting public awareness about construction safety, encouraging community reporting of violations will foster a culture of accountability and vigilance.

Sargunpreet Kaur, Mohali

Make public more aware of dangers

The recent building collapse in Sohana highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent such tragedies. The administration must prioritise public safety by implementing stringent building codes, conducting regular inspections, and imposing heavy penalties for violations. Additionally, raising public awareness about the dangers of illegal construction is also required.

Sahibpreet Singh, Mohali

Dedicated helpline can go a long way

To prevent building collapses, the administration must enforce stringent regulations. Implementing a robust approval system for construction activities, leveraging technology like GIS for real-time monitoring, and promoting public awareness on safety standards are essential. Additionally, setting up a 24x7 helpline for reporting illegal activities can empower citizens to act as vigilant partners.

Gurpreet Kaur, Mohali

Encourage community involvement

To prevent building collapses, the administration must take proactive measures. These include regular inspections of buildings, especially those near excavation sites, and strict enforcement of construction regulations. A dedicated monitoring cell should be established to track illegal digging and construction activities. Additionally, community awareness and involvement should be increased.

Gurdev Singh, Mohali

Fixing accountability need of the hour

The administration needs to ensure strict compliance with building codes, mandate permits for excavation to contractors and builders, and carry out regular inspections during construction with focus on excavation activities. Accountability also needs to be fixed through penalties for violations and negligence. Besides, updated regulations incorporating modern safety standards and enhanced supervision of construction practices are vital to mitigating risks associated with unauthorized digging.

Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh

Take erring officials to task

The authorities should ensure not only strict compliance of bylaws, rules and regulations but also fix the maximum limit for the height of buildings to maintain their structural stability. As an immediate measure, a formal audit should be done for all high-rises which in and around villages of Mohali. The municipal town planner who issues NOCs to these buildings should be taken to task and appropriate action be taken against him after a fair inquiry.

Brigadier Advitya Madan, Chandigarh

Get area inspected before digging

To avoid mishaps like the one Sohana, contractors and owners should get the area of under-construction project inspected from the approved architects and civil engineers. The necessary permissions be sought from the competent authorities. It should be made mandatory for those desirous of constructing basements and the owners of the adjacent buildings should also be consulted.

NPS Sohal, Chandigarh

Plan ahead to reduce risks

Planning things well beforehand can reduce the risk of such incidents. In cases where digging of a basement is required, all necessary precautions like ensuring standard gap between two adjacent buildings and others is key. All violators also need to be dealth with strictly.

Kirpal Singh, Chandigarh

Question for next week

As responsible citizens and members of the local community, what are your hopes and expectations

from the UT administration for 2025?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com