After 9 years legal battle, Noida Twin Towers demolished in 9 seconds

India’s tallest building Noida Twin Towers – Supertech – which is even taller than Qutub Minar, were today blasted out of existence in 9 seconds by multiple blasts carried out on the Supreme court order following a long legal battle. The Twin Towers – Apex (32-storey) and Ceyane (29-storey), comprise 915 flats. The buildings were found to be in violation of multiple regulations regarding construction, and are therefore being demolished after 9 years.

How did Supertech twin towers demolished?

The demolition was done through a controlled implosion technique for which over 3,700 kg of explosive was used in the eye-popping event that left behind a whopping 55,000 tonnes of debris to be managed, it will take 3 months to clear it. Mumbai-based Edifice Engineering along with their South African partner firm Jet Demolitions has carried out the job, which is certain to make it into civil engineering feats of the world.

Around 7,000 people living in and around the two buildings in Sector 93A have temporarily vacated their houses and shift to some other places. Accordingly, people have booked studio apartments and hotels, while some others are thinking of moving to their relatives’ places.
A massive evacuation from the neighboring building had to be carried out. It was an uphill task for residents to shift to other places lock stock and barrel. A resident of ATS Green told India News Stream that they had to spend hours and days for safety wrapping of window panes and other belongings which could not be shifted to their temporary abode.
With anxiety writ large on her face, she said she and her family will be able to return home only after the authorities give safety clearance. ” We are just sitting with our fingers crossed.”

How it will affect environment

People have asked the government to to ensure that the hazardous materials and chemicals being used for the demolition purposes do not in any way seep into the underground water resources and pollute the same as a large number of people in the neighboring area relies on the underground water to meet its daily needs.

To clear the dust generated after the destruction, water tankers, sprinklers, and smog guns will be used. Sweeping machines will clean the dust settled on the road after the demolition. As per some environmental activists also raised concern about the air pollution in Noida and Delhi. Both Noida and Delhi have been among the polluted cities. With the dust that will generate due to the demolition, pollution levels in these areas will rise.

Apart from the environment and damage concerns, there are also concerns about the health hazard of the residents living nearby. As per the Hindustan Times report, Senior pulmonologist Dr Ashish Jain had asked the residents to clean the dust which enters the house with mop or vacuum. Due to health hazard, several people living in buildings close to towers have decided to go for vacation while many will be putting up at hotels on Sunday

Legal process 

The trouble for the Supertech started after Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) of the society approached the Allahabad High Court, claiming issues with the construction. In 2014, the Allahabad HC had ordered the builders to demolish the twin towers. This order was subsequently held up by the Supreme Court in 2021. The top court observed that there were violations of several building codes. According to reports, the Noida Authority was complicit in sanctioning the building plan. Initially, the plan was to build 14 towers. But in 2012, the new plan suggested twin towers with a height of 40 floors. On August 31, 2021, the Supreme Court declared the construction illegal and ordered that the buildings should be razed within three months from that date. Earlier, an SC bench on February 7 this year ordered Supertech and Edifice Engineering to enforce the top court’s August 31, 2021 order to demolish the society’s Apex and Ceyane towers.

Will flat buyers be refunded?

The Allahabad High Court directed Supertech to refund the homebuyers with an interest rate of 12%. As many as 250 homebuyers are yet to receive their compensation, despite an August 2021 order in the matter by the SC. The Supreme Court has assured home buyers that they will receive a full refund of the amount deposited with the builder. The apex court also asked the Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) of the firm, facing insolvency proceedings, to deposit Rs one crore with the apex court registry as per a PTI report.

– INDIA NEWS STREAM