Two high-rise apartment towers in India were leveled in a controlled demolition August 28, 2022, after the country's top court declared them illegal for violating building norms, officials said. _________ READ MORE: They became India's tallest structures to be razed to the ground. More than 1,500 families vacated their nearby apartments for more than seven hours before the nearly 100-meter- tall towers crumbled inward by the impact of the implosion. The 32-story and 29-story towers, which were being constructed by a private builder in Noida city on the outskirts of New Delhi, were yet to be occupied. "Largely, everything is OK," said Ritu Maheshwari, a government administrator, after the demolition. "It happened as expected." The demolition was completed within seconds but followed a 12-year court battle between residents in the area and the builder, Supertech Limited. The razing of the towers occurred after the Supreme Court found that the builder, in collusion with government officials, violated laws prohibiting construction within a certain distance from nearby buildings. The Supreme Court said the construction of the two towers also was illegal because the builder did not receive mandatory consent from other apartment owners in the area. (AP) https://www.voanews.com/a/plumes-of-dust-as-india-demolishes-illegal-skyscrapers/6719881.html » Subscribe to VOA News: https://bit.ly/3KIPysi » Watch more VOA News video: https://www.youtube.com/c/VOANews Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, providing news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 236.8 million people. VOA produces content for digital, television, and radio platforms. It is easily accessed via your mobile phone and on social media. It is also distributed by satellite, cable, FM and MW, and is carried on a network of approximately 3,000 affiliate stations. Since its creation in 1942, Voice of America has been committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the news and telling audiences the truth. Through World War II, the Cold War, the fight against global terrorism, and the struggle for freedom around the globe today, VOA exemplifies the principles of a free press. Connect with VOA News: » VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://www.voanews.com/ » LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/voanews » FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/voanews/ » FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/VOANews