Shaky structures spook Charminar zone

Charminar: With lowest percentage of demolitions, the Charminar (South) Zone remains one of the riskiest places in the city when accounted for dilapidated structures, most of which even though have received notices from the civic authorities but are yet to be pulled down.

According to official statistics, the demolitions in the areas of outskirts remain close to 50 percent, while Charminar zone remains at the bottom of this kind of official activity in the city. The zones of LB Nagar (43.85 %), Serilingampally (54.9 %), Kukatpally (45.16 %) for the bulk of the demolished structures.

Comparatively, Khairatabad (24.16 %), Secunderabad (19.35 %) and Charminar Zone (13.2 %) were not that much successful in terms of demolition of the identified structures.

In the past many an incidents were reported during the monsoon season, like falling of wall of a structure and collapse of dilapidated building in the Old City. Even though GHMC has started the demolition drive, most of the structures have failed to catch the eyes of the authorities for years.

New identified buildings

A total of 198 dilapidated properties were identified by the civic authorities in Malakpet circle (40), Santosh Nagar circle (9), Chandrayangutta circle (15), Charminar circle (72), Falaknuma circle (38) and Rajendernagar circle (22); some of were identified recently. Around 30 dilapidated structures were demolished by GHMC under Charminar Zone, while some of them voluntarily razed by the residents and some of them were repaired by the owner itself. Some properties are also belonging to Waqf Board, which the authorities said will be repaired.

Schools, heritage structures and Waqf properties included

"In this dilapidated list there are properties like schools, heritage properties, Waqf properties etc. The GHMC is taking no chance and allowing the owner to vacate the dilapidated structure and is being demolished," said B Venkanna, Deputy City Planner, Charminar zone, GHMC.

He also said that GHMC Town Planning Wing is also taking opinion from the GHMC Engineering department and demolishing the structures with safety measures.

GHMC has issued a notice under section 459 of HMC (Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) Act to all property owners to vacate or to demolish the property themselves. According to this Act, the property owners have to vacate their properties or owners themselves has to repair or demolished their respective property. Some cases related to properties are also remained pending in court and some were also affected in road widenings, he noted.

He also said that some of the old structures were also referred to the JNTU to take opinion on structural stability and if they can undergo repair. "The GHMC officials are trying their best to vacate the properties which may collapse at any time during heavy rains", said Venkanna.