Ludhiana MC launches fresh survey of unsafe buildings amid monsoon

Prompted by the arrival of the monsoon season, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) has begun conducting a fresh survey of unsafe buildings across the city, aiming to prevent potential tragedies caused by structural collapses during downpours.

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The move comes as a corrective step after years of limited action, where only notices were served to occupants of dilapidated structures.

MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal has directed assistant town planners (ATPS) from all four zones to mobilise their teams and begin on-ground inspections. The compiled report will be submitted to the Commissioner for further action.

Officials have acknowledged that many of these buildings, especially in older parts of the city, pose a serious threat to life and property.

According to MC records, 156 buildings were flagged as unsafe in a 2021 survey. However, now, officials estimate that the actual number might exceed 400, particularly in high-risk areas such as Chaura Bazaar, Field Ganj, Shahi Mohalla, Subhani Building area and parts of old Ludhiana. Many of these structures are over a century old and continue to be occupied, despite repeated warnings.

An MC official, while recalling the October 2024 building collapse at Bandian Mohalla, Ucchi Gali, near Chawal Bazaar, expressed concern over continued public apathy.

“Despite repeated notices, people continue to occupy unsafe buildings, putting their lives and those of their neighbours at risk. The Bandian Mohalla collapse should have been a wake-up call but unfortunately, many still fail to take lessons from past tragedies,” the officials said, adding that the building involved in the 2024 incident had been declared unsafe and multiple warnings were given before it crumbled.

The civic body hopes the fresh survey ordered this monsoon will finally prompt stricter enforcement and greater public cooperation.

A resident of Field Ganj, Amit Jain, said: “We feel unsafe staying next to a building that could collapse any day. The authorities must act before it’s too late.”

The MC’s renewed focus on monsoon preparedness also includes reviewing drainage systems and desilting operations. However, a recent spell of pre-monsoon rain exposed city’s vulnerabilities with waterlogging reported in areas such as Transport Nagar, Salem Tabri, Giaspura and Gaushala Road.

As the rains intensify, the civic body was under pressure to not only identify high-risk structures but also implement timely interventions. The fresh survey was seen as a critical step towards safeguarding lives, said a senior MC official.