Balcony collapses at Imperia Esfera in Gurgaon Sector 37C as schoolgirls escape debris
A second-floor balcony collapsed at the Imperia Esfera residential condominium in Sector 37C, Gurgaon, on Thursday morning, narrowly missing two schoolgirls. The incident occurred around 6:15 am at Tower E of the high-rise society, scattering concrete and plaster debris near parked vehicles on the ground.
The two girls were on their way to school and had just crossed the area when the structure gave way, falling just meters from them. Chunks of concrete and plaster were left strewn across the ground near parked scooters and cars. A guard posted near the tower reported hearing a loud thud, and noted that pillars near the balcony appeared bent.
Tower E, which has 19 floors, is only partially occupied. Former Residents’ Welfare Association president Rinky Singh stated that only 10 to 12 families currently live in the tower because significant construction work remains incomplete. She added that the builder has yet to obtain an occupation certificate for at least two floors, and the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) blocks are also pending.
The incident has highlighted ongoing grievances among the residents of the society. Surinder Singh, a resident of Tower E, stated that the collapse is part of long-standing issues they have faced with the builder. He claimed that possession has been delayed despite most buyers having paid 90 percent of the cost, and that the society still lacks basic amenities. According to Surinder Singh, residents are in contact with the builder and the local estate manager for an immediate resolution.
The developer of the society, Imperia Structures Limited, stated that the matter is being addressed. Amrit Pal Singh, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, said that the balcony was already under repair at the time of the incident. He noted that the flat was still in the developer's possession and had not been handed over to any resident.
The CEO attributed the collapse to weather conditions, stating that exceptionally heavy rainfall led to water ingress, which affected the already weakened repair area. He added that because the incident occurred within an under-repair unit, the company is addressing the matter with due diligence.
