Chintels Paradiso, a condominium complex in Gurugram, has been declared unsafe after a report by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) revealed severe structural flaws in all nine residential towers. The latest findings, issued on Monday, show Tower B has significant issues, including widespread cracks, corroded reinforcement bars, and substandard concrete, mirroring the problems found in other towers. This report follows a tragic incident in February 2022 when Tower D collapsed, resulting in the deaths of two residents. Following this disaster, further inspections of the entire complex were carried out.
The CBRI report describes Tower B as having advanced structural deterioration, with critical damage to its balconies, floors, and reinforcement systems. The building has been deemed beyond repair, and demolition is recommended as the only viable solution. The Chintels Paradiso complex, completed in 2011, was marketed with flats priced between ₹75 lakh to ₹1 crore. However, residents have been dealing with escalating safety concerns, leading to the evacuation of multiple towers over the past two years. The evacuation began after the collapse of Tower D, which caused widespread panic and led to further scrutiny of the remaining buildings. In response, the developer, Chintels India, has urged the district administration to expedite the evacuation of Tower B and the residents in Towers A and C, which have also been declared unsafe. To assist affected residents, the developer is offering a ₹40,000 one-time shifting allowance and compensation based on current market rates for those opting for a buyout. Demolition of the complex will be handled by Edifice Engineering, the same company that demolished the Supertech twin towers in Noida.
Many residents are frustrated with the situation. Some, like Mukesh Singhal from Tower B, have voiced their financial struggles, urging the developer to offer buyouts at the current market value of their flats. Others, like Santosh Vasudevan, are demanding reconstruction of the buildings, with assurances of rent compensation until new apartments are ready. The administration has already declared six towers (D, E, F, G, H, and J) as unsafe, with demolition scheduled for April 2024. The demolition of the remaining towers will proceed in phases to minimize disruption. This incident has raised serious concerns about construction quality and safety standards in India’s real estate sector. Chintels Paradiso is now set to become one of the first modern condominiums in the country to be completely demolished due to structural safety issues, highlighting the urgent need for stronger regulations and oversight.