- Title: India demolishes twin residential towers with explosives
- Date: 28th August 2022
- Summary: NOIDA, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (AUGUST 28, 2022) (ANI - No use India) VARIOUS OF TWIN RESIDENTIAL TOWERS WITH EXPLOSIVES ATTACHED TO THEIR FLOORS VARIOUS OF TWIN RESIDENTIAL TOWERS GETTING DEMOLISHED/CLOUDS OF SMOKE AND DUST (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, NOIDA, ALOK SINGH, SAYING: "It is as per…per the plans. The teams were working for this execution of the honourable Supreme Court's order and largely it is as per the plans. We are going to the site to assess the remnants which are there." DUST CLOUDS EMITTING FROM THE DEMOLITION SITE
- Embargoed: 11th September 2022 11:06
- Keywords: India debris demolition dynamite explosives houses residences skyscrapers twin towers
- Location: NOIDA, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
- City: NOIDA, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001GR848JZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Indian authorities demolished two illegally constructed skyscrapers in a wide plume of dust debris on Sunday (August 28) near the capital New Delhi, razing the tallest structures ever pulled down in the country in less than 10 seconds.
The Supreme Court last year ordered the demolition of the towers in the Noida area after a long legal battle found they violated multiple building regulations and fire safety norms.
"The teams were working for this execution of the honourable Supreme Court's order and largely it is as per the plans. We are going to the site to assess the remnants which are there," said the Commissioner of Police, Noida, Alok Singh.
Over 3,700 kg (8,100 pounds) of explosives were used around 2:30 p.m. (0900 GMT), officials told local media. Strategically placed explosives were meant to ensure minimal damage to the area.
Police said they were assessing whether any damage had occurred. Nearby residents said they would check whether their properties had been damaged. Such demolitions are rare in India despite rampant illegal construction.
Thousands had vacated their apartments near the blast site for about 10 hours, and scores of police and emergency personnel were deployed for the demolition of the towers containing 850 unoccupied apartments.
Traffic was being slowly restored and firefighters were using water sprinklers to bring the dust levels down around the Apex and Ceyane towers, which had stood on the edge of a busy highway linking India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, to the capital.
Some buildings in the vicinity were covered in white plastic sheets to protect them from debris.
On Twitter, many people said the decision to blow up the towers was a strict action against corruption and would serve as an example and warning for builders and construction companies.
The blast was expected to leave over 80,000 tonnes of rubble, most to be used to fill the site and the rest to be recycled.
Several families moved to safety on Saturday, fearing heightened pollution and health hazards from the massive debris. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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