Hyderabad: A large number of buildings, most of which are in a dilapidated condition have been posing a threat to residents across various locations. Out of 1,127 buildings identified, about 200 structures are in a critical condition. They might collapse any moment especially after moderate rainfall or strong winds.
The corporation has already served notices to either vacate the dilapidated structures or renovate and rectify them.
However, officials have not even managed to vacate or demolish a single structure. They claimed that despite the unsafe condition of their buildings, residents were worried that if they moved out, they would never be able to come back. Officials said that they would rope in the Disaster Response Force to demolish critical structures on priority and ask the remaining residents to carry out repairs at the earliest.
Meanwhile, a number of dilapidated structures have also been identified in Secunderabad, Old City and Uppal.
The town planning wing has identified as many as 1,127 buildings in dilapidated condition during the current year. Out them, around 200 in Falaknama, Musheerabad, Charminar Goshamahal, Malakpet, Chandrayangutta, Secunderabad, Malkajgiri are in a critical condition.
Although several notices have been issued by the corporation either the property owners or tenants were not ready to vacate the structures due to emotional reasons. Besides this, the tenants of shops in prime areas like Secunderabad and Charminar were not vacating since they could not rent another building at such low prices in the same area.
A senior GHMC official said that if the owners and tenants were on good terms it would be easy for people to vacate the dilapidated structures. The official said that the GHMC had decided to carry out demolition only to save lives and not take away the livelihood of the people. He said if the owners of the dilapidated structures approached the court, it would conduct inspections with agencies.
He said experts from Osmania and JNTU would inspect and certify them.
"We have already issued notices and the dilapidated buildings will be demolished soon," he added.
The GHMC official further said that the corporation would take the help of the Enforcement Vigilance and Disaster Management (EVDM) wing to vacate dilapidated structures. He said zonal level meetings would be held to raise awareness. "Deputy Commissioners, assistant city planners and EDVM officials will participate in the awareness programmes prior to the demolition drive,” he concluded.
