KMC Initiates City-Wide Demolition Drive for Dilapidated Buildings

21 Aug 2023 CW Team

The municipal authorities are set to initiate a comprehensive city-wide campaign aimed at demolishing deteriorated houses that have been classified as "extremely vulnerable."

According to an official from the buildings department, approximately 150 structures that pose risks to residents and pedestrians have been identified. Among these, particular attention is being directed towards 50 houses where sections must be urgently dismantled. This action will be facilitated through an express order, authorized under Section 411 (4) of the KMC Buildings Rule, which empowers the municipal commissioner to dismantle unsafe portions of dilapidated buildings that are beyond repair.

This decision follows a tragic incident in which an individual lost their life, and several others were trapped beneath debris due to the collapse of a section of a five-story house on Pathuriaghata Street. The KMC had reportedly struggled to persuade the 51 tenants residing in the hazardous structure to evacuate, and despite sending repair notices to the owner, no action was taken.

The majority of severely dilapidated buildings are concentrated in areas such as Cossipore, Burtolla, Burrabazar, Rabindra Sarani, Pathuriaghata, Beadon Street, CR Avenue, College Street, Amherst Street, Ripon Street, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Park Circus, Topsia, Ballygunge, Bhowanipore, Kidderpore, and Tollygunge. An official emphasized the necessity of evacuating these unsafe houses before the onset of the monsoon season to prevent potential accidents. A list of these structures will be shared with borough executive engineers for monitoring purposes.

Owners have the option to participate in a civic program that offers additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR), enabling them to rebuild their older properties to accommodate all the tenants. An official urged owners to consider this scheme, ensuring the safety of the tenants.

The municipal authorities are set to initiate a comprehensive city-wide campaign aimed at demolishing deteriorated houses that have been classified as extremely vulnerable. According to an official from the buildings department, approximately 150 structures that pose risks to residents and pedestrians have been identified. Among these, particular attention is being directed towards 50 houses where sections must be urgently dismantled. This action will be facilitated through an express order, authorized under Section 411 (4) of the KMC Buildings Rule, which empowers the municipal commissioner to dismantle unsafe portions of dilapidated buildings that are beyond repair. This decision follows a tragic incident in which an individual lost their life, and several others were trapped beneath debris due to the collapse of a section of a five-story house on Pathuriaghata Street. The KMC had reportedly struggled to persuade the 51 tenants residing in the hazardous structure to evacuate, and despite sending repair notices to the owner, no action was taken. The majority of severely dilapidated buildings are concentrated in areas such as Cossipore, Burtolla, Burrabazar, Rabindra Sarani, Pathuriaghata, Beadon Street, CR Avenue, College Street, Amherst Street, Ripon Street, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Park Circus, Topsia, Ballygunge, Bhowanipore, Kidderpore, and Tollygunge. An official emphasized the necessity of evacuating these unsafe houses before the onset of the monsoon season to prevent potential accidents. A list of these structures will be shared with borough executive engineers for monitoring purposes. Owners have the option to participate in a civic program that offers additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR), enabling them to rebuild their older properties to accommodate all the tenants. An official urged owners to consider this scheme, ensuring the safety of the tenants. See also: Haryana urban local bodies dept to regularise 845 illegal coloniesIndore Municipal Corp razes structures in two illegal colonies