The shocking news of the drowning of three students in a Delhi coaching institute’s basement due to sudden flooding by rainwater has alerted the Uttar Pradesh government.
The Urban Town Planning Department has directed all development authorities in the state to take immediate action against all those who are illegally running different establishments in the basement of buildings.
Basement areas are specifically marked as parking or storage places.
The maps of buildings are passed only after the owners ensure the construction of the same. However, in the majority of cases parking is done on roadsides in contravention of all building rules and regulations, and basements are rented out for other purposes.
Parking on the roadside creates problems for commuters. Taking the right step in this direction the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to crack down against the illegal use of basements in nearly every other building in the state. A team under a zonal officer, assistant engineer, and junior engineer of development authorities has been directed to make a survey and take immediate action against those flouting the norms. The team will ensure that the map of the building has been passed.
Directions have been issued to stop digging in basements during monsoon at places where buildings are under construction.
The team will be held responsible in case any accident takes place in such buildings in the future.
