FIR against Gzb developer as city drain breach floods high-rise area

The Uttar Pradesh Avas Vikas Parishad (UP Housing and Development Board) has lodged an FIR against the developer of Prateek Grand, a luxury residential complex in Siddharth Vihar, after a breach in a municipal drain—allegedly triggered by negligent construction by the high-rise developer—caused severe flooding in the basements of occupied towers on Friday.

- HT Correspondent

GHAZIABAD: The Uttar Pradesh Avas Vikas Parishad (UP Housing and Development Board) has lodged an FIR against the developer of Prateek Grand, a luxury residential complex in Siddharth Vihar, after a breach in a municipal drain—allegedly triggered by negligent construction by the high-rise developer—caused severe flooding in the basements of occupied towers on Friday.

Officials said that around 30 million litres per day (MLD) of drain water, flowing through an old brick-lined channel maintained by the Ghaziabad municipal corporation, gushed into the basements after the drain breached, reportedly due to excavation work being carried out at an under-construction section of the high-rise project.

AK Mittal, superintending engineer of the UP Avas Vikas Parishad, said, "The developer was digging up a basement barely six metres from the drain. We will get it inquired whether safety precautions like a retaining wall were required or not. As a regulatory authority, we will also explore whether action can be taken by way of penalties or withholding the project's completion certificate."

The FIR was filed late night on May 2 at Vijay Nagar police station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to negligent conduct (Section 290), mischief causing loss or damage (Section 324[4]), and acts endangering life or personal safety of others (Section 125).

Deputy commissioner of police (City Zone) Rajesh Kumar said, "The FIR has been registered against officials of the developer firm and others. An investigation is on," he said.