Third party vetting to be made mandatory for cellar excavation

GHMC to change guidelines to make the third party agency to vet the design as well as the construction of the cellar, besides monitoring the whole process.
| Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

A day after the tragic incident of cellar collapse at LB Nagar in which three construction labourers lost their lives, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has started to re-evaluate the prevailing regulations with regard to the cellar construction.

GHMC Commissioner K. Ilambarithi reportedly convened a meeting with Town Planning officials on Thursday and passed instructions towards drafting guidelines and measures to be followed during cellar excavations for high-rises.

It is reliably learnt that the Commissioner was keen on inserting a clause in the guidelines for third party vetting specifically for cellar construction.

“As of now, there are rules pertaining to third party vetting when it comes to evaluation of structural stability of high-rise buildings. We are mulling over incorporating the same clause for cellar construction too, in view of the fatalities involved if something goes wrong,” shared an official under the condition of anonymity.

The third party agency will be required to vet the design as well as the construction of the cellar, besides monitoring the whole process.

“Ultimately, it will be the owner’s responsibility to ensure safety of the workers. This clause will help by building more checks into the system,” the official said. The guidelines are expected to be ready in a week’s time.

Meanwhile, the GHMC has reportedly served notices to several people involved in the construction of the collapsed cellar, including the owner, builder, site engineer, structural engineer and also the architect seeking their explanations.

The building permission will be cancelled for the structure, and the builder’s licence will be revoked, officials informed.

Three workers died and one person was injured when loose soil from the cellar wall excavated at LB Nagar, collapsed and fell on them on Wednesday. The owner and builder have been squarely blamed for the incident as they did not adhere to safety norms despite receiving a precautionary notice from the Deputy Commissioner. Besides, the builder started the excavation without submitting the mandatory commencement notice.