Noida twin towers: CBRI gives approval for rigging explosives, August 28 new proposed demolition date

Residents of 1,396 flats from Emerald Court and ATS Greens Village will have to vacate their homes on the morning of August 21. (PTI)

The Supreme Court-appointed technical expert on Thursday gave its approval for rigging of Supertech's twin towers with explosives while August 28 has been proposed as the date of demolition, officials said.

The nod of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) was the last approval needed for the charging -- rigging of explosives inside the structures -- of the twin towers located in Sector 93B here, they said.

The nearly 100-metre tall illegal structures, which were so far scheduled for demolition at 2.30 pm on August 21, have now been proposed to be demolished on August 28, a senior Noida Authority official told PTI.

The proposal has been made in view of the reports of all stakeholders, including the Noida Authority, CBRI, developer Supertech, demolition firm Edifice Engineering and its South African partner Jet Demolition, on safety measures for the job, the official added.

However, the final decision on the date would be taken only after the hearing in Supreme Court on Friday over the matter, according to the senior officer.

"The CBRI has given its approval to demolition firm Edifice Engineering to proceed with the charging process," another Noida Authority official said, requesting anonymity.

"The CBRI was satisfied with the responses related to safety measures after Edifice and Supertech agreed to have the structural audit of nearby buildings done before demolition of the twin towers," said the official.

Supertech and Edifice, the official said, have assured the CBRI of putting all safety and risk mitigation measures in place in the Emerald Court and ATS Village societies, adjoining the twin towers.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to take up hearing in the twin tower demolition case on Friday after which the charging process is likely to begin, according to the official.

More than 3,500 kg of explosive will be filled in around 9,400 holes drilled in the columns and shears of the skeletal structures of the twin towers, according to officials.

Supertech's Apex and Ceyane towers in Noida Sector 93A are scheduled for demolition in pursuance of a Supreme Court order last August which noted that the structures had come up in violation of building norms.