Final review of preparations done, twin towers will be razed as per schedule on Aug 28: Noida Authority CEO

Noida: The final review of preparations for the demolition of Supertech's illegal twin towers was done on Thursday and they will be razed as per schedule on August 28 at 2.30 pm, Noida Authority CEO Ritu Maheshwari said.

The Noida police has banned the use of drones in city skies from August 26 till August 28 citing security reasons in view of the demolition, according to an order.

The Noida Authority, which functions under the Uttar Pradesh government, is overseeing the demolition of the nearly 100-metre-tall structures in Sector 93A of the city.

Maheshwari visited Emerald Court and a meeting was held with all stakeholders including local residents' groups and other agencies concerned.

"The meeting was to get an overview of the preparations, technical aspects of demolition and compliances left to be completed for the safe demolition of the towers," the senior IAS officer said. Speaking to reporters outside the twin towers, Maheshwari said, "The twin towers would be demolished at 2.30 pm on August 28 in compliance with the order of the Supreme Court."

However, the final structural audit reports of Emerald Court and ATS Village societies by Supertech were expected Thursday evening while the debris management plan by Edifice was also to be finalised, Maheshwari said.

"We have asked officials to ensure that all compliances by Supertech come in latest by Thursday evening, which will be reviewed again on Friday. If there are any pending compliances, officials are being appointed to take stock every week," she said.

"Our officials have been informed that the land which was identified for dumping the construction and demolition waste before sending it to processing units for scientific disposal is disputed. Some alternative location is being found for it," the officer said.

The Noida Authority CEO told reporters that the demolition is expected to leave behind approximately 35,000 cubic metres of rubble which would translate to 80,000 tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste.

While most of it would be absorbed in the basement of the twin towers, the remaining would be sent to C&D waste processing units for scientific disposal and it would take up to three months for the process to complete.

"We have asked to use Noida's official C&D waste management unit in Sector 80 and also to get in touch with Delhi-based companies. The debris management plan will also be finalised in the next few days," she added. Officials of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), the Supreme Court-appointed technical expert, also attended the review meeting and said there will be no delay in the demolition.

"We wanted the residents to be satisfied with the preparations. They said they are non-technical people but are more than satisfied by the preparations," CBRI's scientist D P Kanungo said.

He said the CBRI is also satisfied with the planning and preparations done by demolition firm Edifice Engineering and its expert South African partner Jet Demolitions. "There will be no delay and the demolition will take place at 2.30 pm on August 28," he added.