Demolition men razing decrepit structres

Hyderabad: The collapse of a decrepit building on Tuesday in south Mumbai's , killing at least 11 people and trapping more than 40 people under the debris, makes one shudder and worry about the state of such buildings and GHMC measures to ensure safety of people. However, even before monsoon set in, GHMC has been cracking down on wornout and impaired structures in the state capital to avoid any untoward incident during the heavy rains season.

Though the town planning wing of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is briskly carrying out demolitions of such structures across the city, there are many buildings still standing precariously.

Every year the number of dilapidated structures is increasing. A total of 434 dilapidated structures were earmarked for demolition across the city in 2018. This year the identified structures number 331 and the overall total is 765 dilapidated buildings waiting to be demolished. Out of this, 167 are razed and 132 are either repaired or seized and vacated. At present, there are 466 structures left to be demolished.

GHMC officials say people do not want to vacate the buildings. Business establishments cite livelihood as the reason and refuse to vacate. Speaking to the Hans India, S Devender Reddy, Chief City Planner, Town Planning Wing of GHMC, said "We are demolishing buildings on priority and vacating the people from the buildings which have become very old and ready to fall in rainy season and have identified around 10-15 per cent of buildings in city.

Around 70-80 owners have taken permission from us to reconstruct the dilapidated structures and some people have sent proposals for reconstruction and are waiting for our approval."

Khairatabad Zone

Demolitions pending since 2018: 201

Identified structures in 2019: 70

Total number: 271

Buildings demolished so far: 55

Buildings repaired, vacated and seized: 14

Structures yet to see action: 202

Charminar Zone

Demolitions pending since 2018: 60

Identified structures in 2019: 84

Total number: 144

Buildings demolished so far: 22

Buildings repaired, vacated and seized: Nil

Structures yet to see action: 122

LB Nagar Zone

Demolitions pending since 2018: 00

Identified structures in 2019: 57

Total number: 57

Building demolished so far: 25

Buildings repaired, vacated and seized: 12

Structures yet to see action: 20

Secunderabad Zone

Demolitions pending since 2018: 104

Identified structures in 2019: 79

Total number: 183

Buildings demolished so far: 20

Buildings repaired, vacated and seized: 57

Structures yet to see action: 106

Serilingampally Zone

Demolitions pending since 2018: 14

Identified structures in 2019: 39

Total number: 53

Buildings demolished so far: 29

Buildings repaired, vacated and seized: 15

Structures yet to see action: 09

Kukatpally Zone

Demolitions pending since 2018: 55

Identified structures in 2019: 02

Total number: 57

Building demolished so far: 16

Buildings repaired, vacated and seized: 34

Structures yet to see action: 07