Earth Quake effect: Survey to check buildings raised beyond limit

Darjeeling: In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Nepal, the local municipality has undertaken a survey to check any violation of rules in construction of highrises here. Already 18 buildings have been identified which were built beyond the permissible limit of 11.5 metres in the hilly region as per the West Bengal Municipality Act, 1993, Darjeeling Municipality Chairman Amar Singh Rai said. The number has been made available by a civic team which conducted a preliminary survey last week, Rai said after receiving the report on Monday. “So far, we have issued notices to two building owners to demolish the portion exceeding the permissible limit,” he said. The municipality chairman said the state government had set up a state-level building verification committee, especially for the Darjeeling hills, and it was expected to visit the region soon. As per records, there are more than 400 highrises in the town.