Ludhiana civic body flags 159 unsafe buildings across city, what's next, ask residents

A fresh civic survey has declared 159 buildings across the city unsafe but danger isn’t waiting for the paperwork to settle. Just days ago, the front portion of a dilapidated building collapsed at Roopa Mistri Gali, driving home risks that residents live with daily. The incident occurred on July 22 amid heavy rainfall, which weakened the fragile structure and caused bricks to fall intermittently throughout the day. No injuries were reported — but for many, it was a narrow escape.

“Every time it rains, we worry if something above us might give way,” said Harpreet Singh, a garment trader from the area. “That building should have been dealt with long ago,” he said.

The Municipal Corporation’s Town Planning branch flagged the latest batch of unsafe buildings, with Zone D topping the list at 55, followed by Zone A with 48, Zone C with 35 and Zone B with 21. In comparison, Zone A led the 2021 survey with 64 vulnerable structures, pointing to shifting patterns in structural decay — or perhaps a lack of follow-through.

But the real question lingers: What happens after these surveys?

“They do these surveys and release numbers but what actually happens afterwards?” asked Manju Devi, a housewife from Naughara Mohalla. “I’ve seen cracks grow larger year after year in our neighbour’s house but people still stay there.”

Officials acknowledge that most flagged buildings are residential and often rented out, complicating efforts to vacate them. “Tenancy disputes between owners and occupants leave little recourse,” said a MC officer.

“We issue notices but action often stalls,” the official said.

Under Section 273 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, owners are directed to repair or demolish such buildings. Non-compliance could make them liable for any future mishaps. Police assistance has also been sought to evacuate high-risk structures.

“We’ve completed the survey and issued notices accordingly,” said MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal.

“Next steps rest with building owners,” he said.

Neighbourhoods such as Chaura Bazaar, Field Ganj, Jawahar Nagar, Daresi, Ghas Mandi, Purana Bazaar and Meena Bazaar remain especially vulnerable, dotted with aging structures still in use despite visible signs of wear.

The city’s memory is heavy with past collapses: A woman and her infant narrowly escaped in Bandeyan Mohalla near Chawal Bazaar in October 2024; another structure gave way in Karta Ram Street in February 2023; and in August 2021, two separate incidents left over 10 injured.

“What’s the use of a notice that hangs on a wall no one repairs?” asked Satpal Kaur, a retired schoolteacher from Janta Nagar. “We need action not just paperwork,” she says.