The Noida Authority has given a 45-day extension to Edifice Engineering that has been working to clear the debris since the two structures were razed in August 2022.
In fact, the Emerald Court residents have been complaining that due to the constant drilling and concrete-breaking work at the site adjacent to their homes, their lives have become quite miserable. On Thursday, few residents even called the cops to the site.
Ajay Mehra, a resident, said, “The residents, especially those who live next to the site, have been in distress for the past six months due to noise, vibration and dust pollution. How long are we supposed to sustain this tortuous surrounding? The work should be immediately stopped.”
On the orders of the Supreme Court, the twin towers – Apex (32 floors) and Ceyane (29 floors) – were demolished by Mumbai-based Edifice Engineering on August 28, leaving behind 80,000 tonnes of debris. The SC had fixed three months for removing the debris from the site.
On this basis, the deadline to clear the debris from the twin towers site elapsed on November 28, but the work could not be completed mainly due to the imposition of GRAP norms that banned demolition work to reduce pollution.
Edifice officials claimed to be carrying out work as per the approved plan under the supervision of Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) and the Noida Authority.
During a review meeting on Tuesday, Noida’s additional CEO Prabhash Kumar told Edifice to complete the entire process in 45 days, besides an additional time of three days for mobilising men, materials and machinery. Kumar also made it clear that no additional time would be given for the disposal of the debris.
Edifice was also directed to first complete the work towards Emerald Court’s nine-metre passage, demolished prior to the razing of the towers, in 15 days and make it available to the developer, Supertech, for construction.
Earlier on the complaints of residents about loud noise and vibrations arising out of the concrete-breaking activity, the Authority had directed CBRI to carry out a study in this regard. Also, an ambient noise monitoring report was demanded from the UP Pollution Control Board.
CBRI, in its report, stated that the sound level was slightly on the higher side than the prescribed limit. The number of breakers operating simultaneously might be reduced to bring that sound level further down. But the vibration level as measured at the site during the breaker operation was within the acceptable limit.
Subsequently, Edifice was asked to reduce the number of breakers to three from five.
Mayur Mehta, project manager, Edifice Engineering, said, “We are working under the framework set up for the job. There is no other way to clear the debris than using breakers. Residents should cooperate with us so that we complete the work on time and clear the area.”
Supertech was asked to complete the passage construction work in 30 days after the area was made available by Edifice. The demolition company was also directed to complete the work of the boundary wall and drain of ATS Greens Village, located on the other side of the twin towers site, in 15 days.
