Bhubaneswar, September 8: In a major step towards ensuring public safety and preventing accidents arising from unsafe and dilapidated structures, the Odisha Government has formed a 15-day inquiry and inspection team to identify, assess and take action against such buildings posing threat to life and property across the State.
The development came after a building collapsed at Satya Niketan Market in South Campus in New Delhi killing seven persons and leaving several injured.
To ensure a comprehensive and time-bound assessment, a 15-day inquiry and inspection team has been constituted. The team will undertake detailed inspections of buildings identified as potentially unsafe, examine their structural condition and submit its findings within the stipulated period.
Housing & Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said that the Government has already undertaken an assessment of unsafe government buildings and notices have been issued wherever required. He said the Department has undertaken a fresh review of the situation and directed officials to expedite necessary action against buildings found to be unsafe.
“Based on the assessment, all government buildings identified as unsafe have been examined and notices have also been issued. I had called for another review with the Department yesterday. Very soon, notices will be issued for demolition of those buildings which have been found unsafe,” said Mahapatra.
The Minister made it clear that the Government would take firm and timely action against unsafe structures falling under its jurisdiction. Buildings under the Housing & Urban Development Department will be dealt with by the Department, while structures belonging to other government departments will be brought to the notice of the respective authorities for appropriate action.
“Whichever unsafe buildings fall under our Department, we will take action. If they belong to other departments, we will coordinate with them and inform them so that necessary action can be taken,” he said.
Importantly, the Government has also decided to bring unsafe private buildings under the ambit of the ongoing safety assessment.
The Minister said that notices would be issued to owners of private buildings found to be in a dangerous or structurally vulnerable condition, as per applicable rules and statutory provisions.
“The inquiry team will conduct a thorough inquiry and investigation into the matter. After inspection, whichever buildings are found to fall under the unsafe category will be demolished,” the Minister stated.
The initiative assumes particular significance in cities such as Cuttack and Puri, where a number of old and privately owned structures require closer examination. The concerned Urban Local Bodies and other authorities will undertake necessary inspections and identify buildings that may pose risks to residents, pedestrians and the general public.
