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Chintels Paradiso Another demolition on the cards?

By Rishabh Chamoli | 2023-02-11

The demolition order for Tower D in Chintels Paradiso, Gurgaon, is a typical example of how important the structural integrity of an establishment is, and any deficiency in it can pose serious challenges for realty stakeholders. The verdict should be a wake up call for developers and contractors.

Less than three months after the Supertech Twin Towers demolition in Noida Sector 93 A, the National Capital Region (NCR) has been shaken by another similar instance of razing down a tower of a housing project in Gurgaon. This time, putting the limelight on the importance of construction quality, the Chintels Paradiso project in Gurgaons Sector 109, came under the scanner for an unfortunate event in February 2022. A further investigation into the accident pointed fingers at the developer and contractors. Heres a case study on the recent verdict highlighting the motivators behind it, and why it should be a lesson for the real estate industry.

What happened on February 10, 2022?
The 18storey TowerD of Chintels Paradiso witnessed a nightmare on February 10, 2022, when the dining area floor of flat number D601 caved in bringing down the roofs and floors directly underneath it till the first floor. The accident that caused two casualties could have potentially been more fatal; however, the sixth to third floors were vacant at the time. The housing society has around 530 flats of which nearly 420 have been occupied in the last four years.

Chintels Paradiso A lesson for homebuyers?
While the demolition order of Chintels Paradiso brings out the unscrupulous activities of the builder community to the forefront, the episode reinstates that homebuyers must fend for themselves and exercise due caution while investing. Some ways they can do so are

Check the credibility of the developer and probe about the contractors employed by the company. Try and research if the technical team of the developer is associated with well known construction companies.
Ask for the building plan and drawings from the developer and connect with a civil engineer to check if the drawings comply with the building norms. The professional must also check the quality of construction materials.
It is recommended to invest only in projects registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 has been formed to make the industry more transparent and safeguard the interests of homebuyers.
Similar to hiring a professional while the property is under construction, get a detailed structural audit done after getting possession also. This will help address shortcomings in the property well within time.
Check the positioning of electricity transformers and poles, and the sewage system.
Amid rising construction costs and surging home loan interest rates, the demolition order may act as a further deterrent for homebuyers from investing in the industry. While the verdict on Chintels Paradiso has come after nine months, it is hoped that developers and contractors understand the gravity of their irresponsible actions and their impact on the end users.