Noida: The Twin Towers, Apex and Ceyane, constructed by Supertech in violation of building norms, in sector 93A of Noida in Uttar Pradesh, was demolished precisely at 2.30 pm on Sunday as per the directives of the Supreme Court.
Clouds of dust covered the area immediately after the demolition which was carried out by Edifice, the company entrusted with the task of demolishing the 103 meter tall structure, bigger than the historical Qutub Minar in New Delhi.
There are no reports of loss of life or damage to other buildings during or after the demolition. It is the biggest demolition exercise in the history of the National Capital Region (NCR) in Uttar Pradesh. Anti-smog guns are being used to settle the dust so that pollution does not spread in other areas. Sources said that Richter scales are being used to measure the intensity of the blast. It will take around three months to remove the debris.
Before demolition, Police Commissioner Alok Kumar visited the spot and took stock of the preparations. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi and Director General of Police (DGP) DS Chauhan to closely monitor the entire exercise.
Noida CP said that a 500 meter area was vacated in the wake of the demolition and all roads were cordoned off. He said that traffic on Noida-Greater Noida expressway was restricted from 1.30 pm.
Kumar said that the Twin Towers were demolished using waterfall technique in which the buildings instead of exploding, implodes inwards. Deputy CP (Traffic) Ganesh said that google map was updated with roads, which were blocked in the wake of demolition, so that people could get information regarding traffic movement. It may be noted that 9,600 were drilled in both the towers and were stuffed with 3,700 kilogram explosives. Sources said that around Rs 17.55 crore has been spent on demolishing the two buildings, which will be borne by the builder Supertech.
It may be mentioned here that so far action had been taken against 26 people, including officials, employees of Noida Development Authority (NDA), builders and architects, who were found guilty of irregularities in the construction of twin towers by the builder Supertech.CM Yogi got the 15-year-old matter investigated thread bare after the SC ordered the demolition of the twin towers. During the probe, collusion between the employees of NDA and the builder was established.
It may be mentioned here that between 2004 to 2006 the NDA allotted 54,820 square meter plot number GH 04 in sector 93A to Messrs Supertech Construction Private Limited. The authority approved layouts on the plot from time to time. As per the layout approved by the authority, total 17 towers having capacity of 660 residential units were to be constructed. While 15 towers are of 15 stories, two towers are of 30 and 32 stories respectively.
On August 31, 2021 the SC ordered its demolition within three months due to non-availability of required minimum open area between the twin towers and for not taking consent from the previous allottees. On the appeal of the agency selected to carry out the demolition, the apex court extended the time limit till August 28. (UNI)
