Chintels Paradiso: Will there be another demolition?

Less than three months after the destruction of the Supertech Twin Towers in Noida Sector- 93 A, the National Capital Region (NCR) was jolted by another similar incidence of razing a tower of a housing complex in Gurgaon. This time, the Chintels Paradiso project in Gurgaon’s Sector-109 came under scrutiny for a terrible occurrence in February 2022, demonstrating the significance of building quality. A subsequent inquiry following the catastrophe blamed the developer and contractors. Here’s a case study on the analyzed period that highlights the motivators for it and why it should serve as a lesson to the real estate sector.

On February 10, 2022, What Transpired?

On February 10, 2022, the dining area floor of flat number D-601 caved in, taking down the roofs and floors immediately under it till the first level of Chintels Paradiso’s 18-story Tower-D. The accident that resulted in two deaths may have been more devastating; fortunately, the sixth through third floors were empty at the time. The housing organisation contains around 530 units, roughly 420 of which have been inhabited in the previous four years.

Immediately just after catastrophe, the Gurgaon government, led by Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the cause of the vertical collapse. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Additional Deputy Commissioner Vishram Meena, included officials from the Department of Country and Town Planning (DTCP) and the Public Works Department (PWD), as well as the Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon.

Furthermore, to guarantee that more homeowners are not duped by the worried developer, the administration halted all property-related activities in seven of its projects, including one now under development. The authority prohibited the registration of any sale deeds in projects associated with Chintels India Limited, Chintels Export Pvt Ltd, Ashok Solomon, and Intels India Pvt Ltd, including Chintels Paradiso and Chintels Serenity in Sector 109, Chintels Corporate Park in Sector 114, and Sobha City in Sector 108, to name a few.

What is the outcome of the structural audit?

According to initial study undertaken by the institution in March 2022, steel items in the accident debris and rust markings on the concrete indicated deterioration. The recently presented thorough assessment determined that the 64-flat Tower-D is unfit for habitation and has no scope for repair due to structural faults.

The fall was caused by maintenance work in flat number D-603, according to an IIT- Delhi team of specialists. Furthermore, the structural stability was jeopardised owing to poor concrete quality, while the use of chlorine-laden water during construction rusted the steel bars, which were painted and never restored.

What are the residents saying?

It’s no secret that homeowners, particularly those with houses in Tower D, are suffering as a result of this predicament. They will lose their homes costing crores, which they acquired with little knowledge of the project’s fundamental structural flaws.

On November 9, 2022, the authorities declared that based on the appraisal of the apartments in the tower in issue, residents will receive Rs 1.5-2 crore each flat if they sell it back to the developer. Homeowners, on the other hand, want either cash compensation based on the current market value or comparable-priced lodging to avert losses, or even new apartments at the same site after destruction. Concerning the evacuation of Towers E and F, the 42 people who live there have refused to leave unless the authorities produce a settlement and compensation plan.

Chintels Paradiso: A Homebuyer’s Lesson?

Whereas the destruction of Chintels Paradiso puts to light the unethical acts of the community engagement, the story reminds homeowners that they must fend for themselves and practice necessary prudence while investing. They can do it in a variety of ways, including:

• Examine the developer’s reliability and inquire about the company’s contractors. Investigate whether the developer’s technical staff is affiliated with well-known building businesses.
• Request the building design and blueprints from the developer and consult with a civil engineer to ensure that the plans meet building codes. The specialist must also inspect the construction materials for quality.
• It is advised to invest only in projects that have been registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act of 2016 was enacted to increase transparency in the sector and protect homebuyers’ interests.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are for informational purposes only based on industry reports and related news stories. PropertyPistol does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information and shall not be held responsible for any action taken based on the published information.