Open house: What measures should the administration take to prevent collapse of old, unsafe buildings?
Rickety structures pose grave risk
Every rainy season, some survey of risky and rickety structures is announced and even carried out but when it comes to taking any action, all is forgotten till the next mishap. We hope that the Town Planning wing’s drive to raze buildings that are beyond repair, when authorised by MC, is not scuttled by some NGO or other self-appointed body or even deferred by the Municipal Corporation as has happened many times. Sometimes, the well-meaning organisations working to preserve the environment and heritage ignore the reality that development has to be undertaken for the overall survival of our ever growing population and vehicular traffic on the city streets/roads. Our old monuments, buildings and houses represent our past and heritage. But protesting against the demolition, by giving a tag of heritage to the very rickety buildings and houses/structures, is stretching things a bit too far, irrespective of our love for heritage. The dilapidated buildings in our city pose a great threat to the adjoining houses and passersby. This has been amply proved, disastrously during every rainy season, with the loss of many precious lives. Our officials and leaders concerned just express their sorrow and do not bother to take any preventive action to eliminate the threat during the next rains. Even an earthquake of small intensity can topple these unstable structures. Our MC authorities should take up the matter of these ‘about to crumble structures’ very seriously and on a war footing, and be prepared for future calamities and mishaps. A Town Planners’ special committee should be formed to survey the crumbling/rickety structures and give suggestions for remedial measures or demolition of these endangered structures. The demolition squads, with proper authorisation from the courts, should be assisted by police force to carry out the orders, if the owners/occupants have ignored/not acted upon the notices by the MC. The courts should not issue stay orders without a thorough investigation of every case, instead a blanket order/power should be given to the MC to carry out their campaign for people’s safety.
LJ Singh
Get inspected by qualified personnel
Old and unsafe buildings in urban areas pose significant risk to residents, particularly during heavy rains or as a result of illegal excavation, which can lead to sudden collapse. Just as human beings need to see their physicians more regularly as they age, older buildings also require increased care and attention. To mitigate these dangers, the local administration must carry out periodic inspections of such buildings and implement some precautionary measures. Regular and thorough inspections conducted by qualified structural engineers are essential for identifying potential weaknesses in such buildings. Prompt attention should be given to the maintenance and repair of the identified issues, including fixing cracks, reinforcing foundations and replacing corroded material. Additionally, retro-fitting buildings to improve their resilience against earthquakes, especially in seismic zones, should be explored as an option. Property owners must be discouraged from making excavations or substantial modifications to their buildings without consulting professional experts and obtaining permission from the administration. Engaging experienced structural engineers is vital for any major construction or renovation work to ensure safety and compliance with building codes. It is important not to plant trees too close to buildings. Any sapling that begins to grow in or near the walls of such buildings should be removed at the earliest possible. Furthermore, the installation of monitoring systems can help detect early signs of structural failure, providing an additional layer of protection for residents.
Kulwant Singh Phull
Identify, demolish unsafe buildings
In order to prevent such incidents and safeguard residents, the administration should take up the identification and demolition of such buildings. Secondly, it should ensure no illegal digging around or near it. Last, but not the least, awareness must be created amongst residents not to stand near such buildings.
Sanjay Chawla
Permit renovation, charge fee for it
There are still a number of buildings in the Old City which are unsafe because they are more than 100 years old. It is the responsibility of the administration to thoroughly check the buildings which are more than 100 years old. The district administration along with the Municipal Commissioner should allow in public interest all owners of buildings which are unsafe to go for renovation at the earliest before the advent of monsoon season by charging a very nominal fee. The applicant should apply for permission to go for renovation of the building and the administration should allow the owner to go for immediate repair of that building within a stipulated time period. The clearance for the applicants to allow renovation, if the applicant applies, should be given within a fortnight and if sanction/permission for renovation is delayed, the department concerned should be held responsible for any mishap if it occurs. The Municipal Corporation should impose a minor fee for the applicant who is going for the renovation of the building and fix a period in which the repair work is to be concluded. The Municipal Corporation/administration should refrain from allowing digging of any underground structure if the side by the buildings is old and not safe. Safety of life should be a priority for the administration and Municipal Corporation.
Rajat Kumar Mohindru
Ensure safety audit of old structures
Old and unsafe buildings pose significant risk to occupants and those living in surrounding areas. It is disgusting that the civic bodies do not conduct periodic inspections to identify potential hazards and assess the structural integrity of the old buildings that can collapse anytime during heavy rains or illegal digging. The necessary repairs and retro-fitting for strengthening the old structures is often not undertaken timely to bring it up to safety standards. It is also observed that the buildings beyond repair are not instantly demolished and continue to be used for stacking old records or some household items. Not just the safety audit of buildings, the municipal bodies responsible for enforcing building by-laws invariably flout the rules themselves while granting permission for renovation/extension or even for new constructions. Notably, site plans approved purely for housing purposes in cities are converted into commercial constructions in purely residential localities, with the apparent connivance of some vicious and greedy departmental officials. To utter dismay, the complaints made by the nearby residents are blatantly ignored and there is seldom any check whether the ongoing construction activity is complying with the norms? Strikingly, the administration has to be more responsive to enforce building codes and regulations to prevent unfortunate mishaps, like the one that recently occurred at SAS Nagar (Mohali), where two young lives were lost besides causing immense inconvenience to the public. While the system needs to be streamlined by taking stern action against the negligent officers under whose nose the builders circumvent bylaws, the community should be made aware of the building safety standards and the importance of regular upkeep. All obsolete structures should be removed as and when declared unsafe and the occupants/offices stationed there relocated to safer accommodations. To facilitate the property owners, the government can provide support and funding for building upgrades, repairs and reconstruction at affordable rates. The poor may be offered incentives to prioritise safety norms at their tenements. Any unauthorised and unplanned construction has to be totally banned, commercial establishments in residential colonies like gyms, banquets and restaurants etc must not be allowed under any circumstances. Such activities not only make the life of people residing in the area miserable but create environmental hazards as well. The safety of citizens being a foremost concern, there should not be any compromise on the construction and maintenance norms.
Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath
Conduct survey of dangerous buildings
Old and unsafe buildings are crucial and also dangerous for public safety. People living in such houses and also living in that area are in danger, especially during the rainy season. It is the duty of the government to conduct a survey of the buildings that pose a serious threat to life and property and make a list, conduct regular inspection of the deteriorating structures. Tell the public about the risk of living near such structures and in that area. Enforce strict building codes and demolish buildings that are beyond repair. Before the onset of rainy season, all the dangerous buildings should be evacuated for public safety and people shifted to some safe place. Buildings that are old or of heritage value, which can’t be demolished because of historical importance should be preserved from the state funds. Life is more precious than buildings, so it is the duty of the government to take care of human life.
Shashi Kiran
Monitor structures, punish defaulters
It is one of the prime responsibilities of local government bodies to keep all the dwellings units under their jurisdiction intact and safe to protect lives and properties of citizens. Foremost in this regard is to ensure that all the buildings, both residential and commercial, are being built strictly and maintained as per city master plan and building bylaws. Any deviation right from the plinth level to completion stage has to be monitored very closely and the defaulters punished. Prior permission for digging and alterations has to be obtained from the competent authority. Efficient and honest staff needs to be deployed for such jobs. Most importantly, periodic inspection and safety audit of all the buildings must be carried out regularly and compliance has to be enforced and ensured as per fixed time-lines. The buildings have to be periodically categorised on the basis of their safety for taking suitable action. For dangerous buildings, compulsory evacuation has to be carried out for destruction with due procedure. The residents so evacuated must be rehabilitated through a documented policy.
jagdish chander
Question for next week
With the onset of winter and dense fog, what steps the authorities concerned and commuters should take to prevent road accidents as well as to provide shelter for the homeless?
Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (January 2)
