Bengaluru Builder to Demolish New Tilted 18-Storey Residential Tower

• 18-storey tower developed a slight tilt after receiving Occupancy Certificate.
• Builder opts for voluntary demolition and complete reconstruction.
• All 49 homebuyers will receive rebuilt homes without extra cost.

Bengaluru: In an unusual move, Bengaluru-based developer SNN Raj Corporation has decided to voluntarily demolish and rebuild an 18-storey residential tower at its SNN Raj Etternia project near Kudlu, off Hosur Road, after the building developed a slight tilt just three months after receiving its Occupancy Certificate (OC).

The decision comes before possession was handed over to buyers and is being seen as a rare example of a developer choosing reconstruction over repairs to prioritize safety.

The affected structure is Block E-3, one of nearly 15 towers in the SNN Raj Etternia township, which comprises around 970 apartments. Only this tower, containing 49 ready-to-move-in flats priced between ₹1 crore and ₹5 crore, has been found to have a structural issue. Unlike previous high-profile demolitions in India that were ordered by courts due to legal violations, this demolition has been initiated voluntarily by the builder after identifying a technical problem.

According to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao, the developer has formally approached the authority seeking permission to demolish and reconstruct the tower. Confirming the move, Rao said the company had voluntarily come forward after discovering that the building had developed a slight tilt.

SNN Raj Corporation Director Anuj Sanjay Jain said the issue was traced to an error in the original geotechnical investigation. Although consultants suggested repair work, the company decided against temporary fixes and opted to rebuild the entire tower in the interest of homebuyers despite the significant financial cost.

The incident has highlighted the importance of detailed geotechnical investigations in high-rise construction. According to engineers involved in the case, the tilt was detected during a water load test, which revealed that the structure was sinking.

Experts also clarified that an Occupancy Certificate confirms compliance with approved building plans but does not certify the long-term structural or geotechnical performance of a building. Underground soil conditions can sometimes change or reveal hidden cavities only after load testing is carried out.

The developer has informed the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) about the issue and assured buyers that they will not bear any additional financial burden. Once approvals are received from the Greater Bengaluru Authority, the company will proceed with demolishing the existing tower and reconstructing all 49 apartments, with possession expected only after the new building is completed and meets all required safety standards.

Also Read: Tata Realty Buys 38 Acres in Bengaluru for ₹2,300 Crore

Also Read: Disney Leases 1.75 Lakh Sq Ft Office Space in Bengaluru at a monthly rent of ₹2.01 crore