Inspection Report

Case : Kamla Devi & Others

V/S. Atar Chand & Others
Date of Inspection : 27.11.2022
Date of Report : 29.11.2022
Location of Property: Mandi Road, Phagwara.
1.0 Introduction :
I am, Dr. Rajwinder Singh Bansal , PhD. In Civil Engineering,; F.I.V,
F.C.E.V., M.I.E., Chartered Engineer, having experience of more than 29 year in planning,
designing and valuation of all types of buildings . I have carried out the structural designing of
a number of buildings including layers’ chamber at Phillaur. I have also given expert opinions
in a number of court cases related with structural disputes of buildings. I have inspected the
Building in question, on the request of the petitioner Mrs. Kamla Devi on 27.11.2022. The
inspection was carried between 11.30 to 12.30 Hrs.
2.0 Boundaries of property:--
As on 04.01.2019 the building has the following boundaries
North : Bazzar/Street
South : Portion Under Possession of Kamla Devi
East : Portion Under Possession of Kamla Devi
West : Akali Market
Constructional Specifications:--
As on 04.01.2019 the building has the following specifications
Type of Foundation Spread Footing
Walls 2nd class B.B. work in mud Mortar
Partitions 2nd class B.B. work in mud Mortar
Flooring Partially brick Flooring & partially without
flooring
Roofing & Terracing Partially Batten & Girder, Partially G.I.
Sheets over truss, partially without roofing
Special Architecture or Nil
decorative features if any
4.0 General Condition of the Building: -
The portion of the building in question is an old & dilapidated building. The
detailed measurement of the building was done from outside and site plan was
prepared which is attached herewith. As reported the age building is
approximately 54 years, with front wall which is made up of Nanak Shahi
Bricks might be more than 80 years old, because use of Nanakshahi Bricks have
been stopped in the early 20th century. Almost every component of it is affected
in some way or the other. The general condition of the building can be gauged
clearly by simply having a look at the building from the front & rear of the
building. The condition of the shop can be gauged from the attached
photographs.
4.1 Walls:-
When observed from front of the building it is quite evident from the irregular
courses of bricks that the foundation has undergone unequal settlement
The mortar was found eroded from the joints. As mortar has been eroded, it has
loosened its grip with the bricks there by reducing the strength of wall
considerably. Major parts of the walls are badly affected by dampness.
As observed from outside some of the bricks of walls of the shop in question have
lost more than 20% of their body due to efflorescence & other weathering effects
As such the load bearing portion of the building has become in effective.
These facts are can be verified from the following pictures:
a) Front Wall (Northern Side): Made up of Nanakshahi Bricks. From the
condition it seems that there was fire broke out in the building
 b) Back wall (Southern Side): Made up of FPS Bricks.

c) Side wall (Eastern Side): Made up of FPS Bricks.

4.2 Roofing: - The roofing of large portion has disappeared and the remaining roofing

consists of partially batten & Girder, Partially Batten & Girder, Partially G.I. Sheets
over truss. Even the remaining roofing has out lived its life as visible from the following
pictures taken from terrace of the portion under possession of Mrs.
Kamla Devi.

A large grownup tree has surpassed through the roofing as visible in the following
picture.

4.3 Interior of the building

The condition of interiors may be gauged from the following pictures taken from terrace
of the portion under possession of Mrs. Kamla Devi.
4.2 Flooring & Joinery:- From the above pictures is visble that the building does not
have any flooring or joinery worth useful .
Considering the above stated facts I am of the considered opinion that all
the components of disputed building are affected & keeping in view that the condition
of building is going to further deteriorate instead of improving as from the pictures
attached above it is clear that building has not been used for any purpose for the last
many years.
In my opinion the building in question, is unfit & unsafe for human habitation from
structural point of view.
As such the only option available is to reconstruct the whole
building afresh as is situated in Earthquake Prone area, otherwise in such condition it
may not only cause harm to the inmates of the building but also the adjacent buildings.