PRAYAGRAJ: New regulations are set to enhance the safety of high-rise buildings in the city, making structural safety audits mandatory. Under these guidelines, all buildings taller than 15 meters must undergo a safety audit 10 years after their completion, followed by audits every five years. This initiative comes in response to safety concerns and previous fire incidents in multiple high-rise structures in the area.
In the last two decades, many tall buildings have been built in Prayagraj, yet most have never undergone formal safety assessments post-construction. Previously, only a single No Objection Certificate (NOC) from a structural engineer was required at the time of building. After that initial approval, safety checks were largely neglected, putting residents at potential risk.
Numerous buildings flagged for structural flaws still received official clearance. Fire safety features often became non-functional, serving merely as decorative elements. Even government buildings such as the Advocate General’s Office near the High Court and Indira Bhawan, which houses the development authority, have experienced significant fire outbreaks, prompting investigations each time.
Now, under the new regulations, any building with structural cracks or safety concerns must be immediately evaluated by the owner, builder, or Residents Welfare Association (RWA). For buildings exceeding 50 meters in height, only qualified structural engineers registered with local authorities are permitted to conduct these audits. Completed audit reports must then be submitted to the local development authority.
If any risks are identified during an audit, the relevant stakeholders—owners, builders, or RWAs—will have a designated timeframe to address them. Non-compliance could lead to authorities stepping in to perform necessary repairs or reconstruction, with costs being charged to the building owners or their associations.
Officials from the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) have confirmed that stringent actions will continue against illegal and unsafe constructions. The newfound guidelines will be strictly enforced to ensure improved safety standards in the city’s development.
