Stability concern puts halt to high-rise building construction

SHILLONG, Sep 17: The East Khasi Hills district administration has issued a directive to halt all construction activities and occupation of the high-rise residential building located opposite Grace Academy School on Mawlai Bypass road, Umshing-Mawkynroh. This action follows a stability report from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Shillong, which identified the site as being at very high risk.
“I am to inform you, as per the report from NIT, that the site on which your building is constructed comes under very high risk and needs immediate attention by all stakeholders of the site. Furthermore, there is a school (Grace Academy School) located downhill, which puts the lives of students and teachers at risk,” the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner stated in the letter.
The NIT report further emphasised that the site is at very high risk and requires immediate attention by all stakeholders.
“It is also to inform that not only does the owner of the high-rise residential building need to take immediate action, but the adjacent landowners on both sides of the high-rise building (covering the landslide area) also need to be alert and take immediate measures,” NIT stated in its report.  The report also mentioned that the Shillong bypass road is now at risk due to a recent landslide, as the road lacks bearing support on its sliding side and may collapse at any time.
“Therefore, in view of the above, you are requested to take necessary action to warn the people staying near the building,” the report concluded.
Earlier, the KHADC had asked the owner of the eight-story high-rise to submit a structural audit report of the building, either from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) or the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Meghalaya.
Additionally, the Council directed the owner to conduct a slope stability analysis to determine whether the building can withstand the steep slope.