Bengaluru: Anxiety has gripped residents around Harlur Main Road after the developer of SNN Raj Etternia announced plans to dismantle an 18-storey residential tower that developed a structural tilt before it could be handed over to buyers.
The affected structure, Tower E, is part of the premium residential complex comprising 15 towers. While 12 towers are occupied by around 822 residents, Tower E was never occupied after structural distress was detected.
Residents concerned over demolition
The planned dismantling has raised concerns among families living in neighbouring apartment complexes and residential layouts, particularly because the site is surrounded by homes and educational institutions.
A Cambridge International School is located adjacent to the apartment complex, while another school stands opposite the site, prompting residents to seek clear communication and stringent safety measures during the demolition process.
Some residents admitted they were initially unaware of the structural issue but expressed confidence that their own towers remain safe, noting that the affected building is approximately 30 metres away from occupied blocks.
Developer assures safe dismantling
According to a company representative, the tower will not be demolished using explosives. Instead, it will be dismantled floor by floor using diamond-cutting technology and cranes to minimise risk to neighbouring buildings.
The representative said the developer itself informed authorities after identifying the structural problem, emphasising that safety remains the top priority.
The company also stated that the tower was built on land that previously consisted of a lakebed and marshland, which affected the foundation. It added that the entire cost of dismantling and reconstructing the building would be borne by the developer.
GBA withdraws occupancy certificate
Meanwhile, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has withdrawn the occupancy certificate (OC) issued to one of the project’s blocks. The civic body has also served a show-cause notice to the empanelled structural engineer who certified the building’s stability before the OC was issued in April this year.
The incident has reignited discussions on construction quality, structural safety and regulatory oversight in Bengaluru’s rapidly expanding real estate sector.