Visakhapatnam: Ramshackle buildings pose threat to stubborn inhabitants

Visakhapatnam: Hundreds of old buildings in Visakhapatnam paint a precarious picture as they may collapse anytime. The seven-decade-old structure that collapsed at Anakapalle near the old bus stand on Sunday claimed two lives. Both the owner of the steel goods shop and the worker employed there died on the spot as the ceiling came crashing down.

This is one among several dilapidated structures that exist in Visakhapatnam. During monsoon, the condition only gets worse.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has carried out a survey identifying unsafe structures and issued notices to the owners to vacate the premises. They include commercial units and residential blocks.

"About 153 unsafe buildings have been identified for demolition in Anakapalle alone. Notices have already been served to the building owners to vacate the premises. But every time, we request them to vacate the place citing the consequences, they try to buy some more time. Though we have approached a few old buildings for demolishing, the owners used to resist and request us to extend the deadline," says P Srirama Murthy, Zonal Commissioner, Anakapalle zone.

The resistance to vacate old and unsafe buildings which pose a threat to residents is one of the main challenges the officials concerned experience repeatedly.

Officials feel that residents should understand the magnitude of seriousness in continuing to reside in unsafe buildings so that they would voluntarily leave the place.

Even when the building owners appeal to the tenants to vacate, the latter refuse to do so. Some of them even approach the court to seek a stay order so that they can continue to reside in the premises.

The recent incident happened at Anakapalle stands as a testimony to this. Despite the building owner appealing to the tenant to vacate the place, the latter got a stay from the court only to see the structure collapse like a pack of cards months later.

As the buildings continue to age, they become unsafe to live. Once old structures are tagged as 'unlivable', continuing in the same place would only pose a threat and at times prove to be fatal. According to the GVMC town planning officials, over 300 buildings were identified for demolition. However, the officials are yet to take action on the heritage buildings such as the Collectorate building, Government Queen Mary's Girls High School and a few of the hostels in Andhra University. Even the structures that have heritage value paint a picture of neglect for a long time now. Heritage enthusiasts mention that a committee should be formed to study old buildings, involving experts, conservation architects and professors from the Civil Engineering Department of Andhra University before considering any action on demolishing buildings that have heritage value.