LUCKNOW: The Lucknow Development Authority has mandated a structural safety audit for 276 high-rise buildings in the city. This includes 58 LDA-owned buildings and 218 privately owned structures, all ranging in age from 5 to 40 years.
This decision follows the collapse of Alaya Apartment in 2023 and a commercial building in Transport Nagar last year. In response, LDA officials prepared a proposal that received board approval in September of the previous year. As per the new regulation, all buildings exceeding 15 meters in height will undergo a structural audit every five years.
Although the implementation of this rule faced delays, it will now proceed as the state government has incorporated the safety audit into the building bylaws.
The safety audit will assess the structural integrity of walls, columns, beams, and foundations. Depending on the findings, recommendations for repairs or potential demolition may be made.
Recent audits of 150 buildings by IIT Kanpur uncovered significant safety issues. For example, the Nanda Kheda Complex was deemed highly unsafe. Additionally, the Amritlal Naagar Auditorium in Chowk, inspected by an LDA-approved architect, was found to be 70% structurally safe, with 30% showing damage. The Vikas Deep Building on Station Road reportedly has weak brick masonry but remains largely stable overall.
LDA VC Prathmesh Kumar stated, “This will be the first safety audit conducted after 10 years. Recent incidents have highlighted the dangers posed by aging and poorly maintained structures. Making these audits mandatory aims to prevent future tragedies and ensure public safety.”
