Noida: Noida Authority has ordered quality tests on steel being used in the under-construction Sector 51-52 skywalk and an RCC drain between sectors 50 and 51, after an inspection found alleged sub-standard steel at both sites.The authority’s technical audit cell has collected steel samples from both projects and will get them tested by specialised institutions such as IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee or Shri Ram Institute. Payments to the contractors have also been ordered to be withheld until the test reports are received.S P Singh, general manager, Noida Authority, said strict action would be taken against the contractors if the steel fails to meet prescribed quality standards. “The manager concerned has also been asked to submit an explanation regarding the use of the material,” he said.Officials of work circles 1 to 5 have also been directed to ensure that cement, steel, bitumen and other construction materials used in ongoing and proposed projects meet prescribed standards, with the authority saying such materials should be tested by specialised institutions before payments are released.The Sector 51-52 skywalk, whose main elevated structure is largely ready, has been facing delays over an obstruction at the entry point near the Sector 51 Metro station. A beam at the station is blocking access, prompting the authority to modify and extend the skywalk by around 100 metres. Officials have said the extension is expected to make the facility operational within a month.The L-shaped, air-conditioned skywalk, equipped with travelators, was launched in March 2023 with a one-year completion target. The project subsequently faced several hurdles, including construction restrictions imposed by National Green Tribunal during winter, and its design was changed after an underground metro cable was discovered during excavation. The structure was initially planned on single pillars but was redesigned with a two-column support system.
