MC begins identifying unsafe buildings

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 17

With the beginning of monsoon, the issue of old and unsafe buildings, especially in narrow lanes of the walled city, has began haunting residents as usual. The Municipal Corporation (MC) has declared 128 buildings unsafe over the years.

Mishaps due to collapse of unsafe buildings are reported almost every year, sometimes resulting in loss of lives. Even this year, the balcony of an old building collapsed during rain near the Darbar Sahib, but no loss of life was reported.

The fact that most of such buildings are in the narrow lanes of the old walled city, it makes difficult for the officials concerned to carry out rescue operations in case of any untoward incident. Officials say the MC has already been tasked to prepare a fresh list of the unsafe buildings to take appropriate action.

It has been seen for the past many years that owners are often reluctant to demolish unsafe buildings and use every method to halt action. However, residents of nearby buildings say they are living under constant threat as mishaps may occur anytime.

Municipal Town Planner Parampal Singh said a fresh survey of unsafe buildings was being conducted after which notices would be issued to owners. “In case the owners fail to take action, the department will do so. We are concerned over the situation. We have asked the staff concerned to expedite the work,” he added.