Supertech twin towers demolition: August 28 new proposed date; rigging with explosives

New Delhi: The Supreme Court-appointed technical expert on Thursday gave its nod for rigging of Supertech's twin towers in Noida with explosives. August 28 has been proposed as the date of demolition. The apex court had ordered the demolition of the nearly 100-metre-tall structures last year.

The twin 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.

It must be stated here that Central Building Research Institute’s (CBRI) approval was the final one required for the charging -- rigging of explosives inside the structures -- of the twin towers located in Sector 93B in Noida.

While August 28 is the proposed date, the final date would only be decided upon after the hearing in Supreme Court on Friday, August 12. "The CBRI has given its approval to demolition firm Edifice Engineering to proceed with the charging process," another Noida Authority official said, requesting anonymity.

According to the official, 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.

The institute has been assured by Supertech and Edifice that they will put all safety and risk mitigation measures in place in the Emerald Court and ATS Village societies, adjoining the twin towers.

For the demolition of the buildings, 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. 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.