Bhubaneswar, September 8 (Daily Kiran) : Following the tragic collapse of a five-story hostel in Delhi’s Satya Niketan that resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, the Odisha government is intensifying its campaign to identify and take action against unsafe buildings across the state.
Dr. Krishna Chandra Mahapatra, the Minister for Housing and Urban Development in Odisha, announced on Tuesday that the government has already assessed unsafe government buildings and issued notices where necessary. He indicated that a new review of the situation has been conducted, instructing officials to expedite necessary actions against identified unsafe structures.
“Based on the assessment, all government buildings deemed unsafe have been inspected, and notices have been issued. I held another review meeting with the department yesterday. Very soon, notices will be issued for the demolition of those buildings found to be unsafe,” stated Dr. Mahapatra.
The minister emphasized that the government will take strict and timely action against unsafe buildings within its jurisdiction. Buildings under the Housing and Urban Development Department will be managed by the department itself, while other government departments will be notified to take appropriate actions regarding their buildings. Notably, the government has also decided to include private buildings in the ongoing safety assessments.
According to the minister, owners of private buildings identified as dangerous or structurally weak will receive notices in accordance with applicable regulations and legal provisions. To ensure a thorough and timely assessment, a 15-day inspection team has been established. This team will conduct detailed inspections of potentially unsafe buildings, evaluate their structural condition, and submit their reports within the stipulated timeframe.
“The inspection team will conduct a comprehensive investigation. After the inspections, any buildings categorized as unsafe will be demolished,” the minister added.
Officials noted that this initiative is particularly crucial in cities like Cuttack and Puri, where many old and privately-owned buildings require close scrutiny. Local urban bodies and other officials will carry out necessary inspections to identify structures that may pose risks to residents, pedestrians, and the general public.
The government stated that this exercise is primarily aimed at prevention and safety, allowing for the identification of structural hazards before any loss of life or property occurs. Officials will assess the condition of buildings accordingly and initiate actions where structures are deemed uninhabitable or in need of repair.
The Housing and Urban Development Department will collaborate with urban local bodies and other relevant government departments to ensure that notices, inspections, and subsequent actions are carried out systematically and within the designated timelines.
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