PWD norms saved government buildings during floods

Following PWD norms, when it comes to construction of buildings, could save lives. According to a highly placed official, government buildings, like the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital located near the Cooum river was not flooded, despite the river overflowing its banks at the height of rain. “Even if it had overflowed, the hospital would not witness a situation like that of a private hospital near Porur. As the service block is located in a separate wing and at an elevation, it would have continued to operate even if the hospital was waterlogged,” the official added. 

Sources from the PWD say that the norms clearly state that official buildings be given a separate service block, elevated by about six feet from the surroundings. The generator is to be placed on a three feet high bed block, making it nine feet higher than its surroundings ensuring it was not affected a flood-situation. 

The problem with private builders is that in a bid to save space and cut down on cost, they usually place critical equipment in locations that are vulnerable during calamities. The source added that PWD contractors got 3 KVa generators from Red Hills to help hospitals at Sholinganallur when army personnel said that the 240 KVa generator was too heavy to be lifted onto the pontoon available. “This saved many lives,” the source said.