In a bid to avoid collapsing of dilapidated houses during monsoon season, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) conducted a survey of the such buildings of the city. As many as 239 buildings in 7 zones have reached dangerous condition. Out of this 145 buildings are in use.
The NMC has served notices to the people living in these buildings. But owners claimed that they had repaired the building. Most worn out 87 buildings are in Gandhibagh zone while 49 buildings in Nehru Nagar zone are dilapidated. Some of the dilapidated buildings are not habitable at all, yet people are compelled to live here.
Recently many people lost their lives when a building collapsed in Mumbai. After that the high court has instructed the concerned municipal corporation to take notice of the worn out buildings and take appropriate action.
On behalf of the fire and disaster management department of the NMC, the zone offices have been instructed to conduct survey and submit a list of worn out buildings. So far 7 zones out 10 have submitted the list.
Laxmi Nagar, Dharampeth and Asi Nagar zones have not conducted the survey yet. According to report available, worn out buildings are plenty in Gandhibagh, Nehru Nagar and Mangalwari zones.
The administration has issued guidelines on dilapidated buildings. Under this zonal offices have asked the owners to demolish the above buildings. Yet many buildings have not been vacated till now due to the dispute between the owner and the tenant.
NMC officials are also making the same argument. There are many dilapidated buildings which have the only option to demolish them. The fire department has issued orders to cut off electricity and water of the buildings concerned but the owners are not ready cooperate therby putting life in risk.
