The Hindu         27.11.2014  

Old buildings get a month’s time

Following the collapse of a number of buildings this
monsoon, the Chennai Corporation has decided to begin issuing notices to
dilapidated buildings, advising owners to either demolish or repair the
structures.

Stringent measures are likely to be taken within a month.

“This
is the first time ward-level officials have completed enumeration of
such buildings, in three years. They identified 21 buildings in our ward
on Tuesday. They will start issuing notices to owners this week,” said
Kalarimuthu, councillor of ward 58, located close to Ripon Buildings.
“The notice for such buildings is being issued under Section 258 of CCMC
Act. Measures should be taken to prevent misuse of the provisions by
residents,” said an official.

Earlier, just 132
buildings in the city had been estimated to be dilapidated. Action on
repair or demolition had not been initiated either.

According to the new survey, the number of such buildings reported in Royapuram zone alone has exceeded the previous estimate.

At
least 150 buildings in Royapuram zone, covering areas of George Town,
will have to be demolished or repaired within 30 days of issuance of
notice by the Chennai Corporation.

“We have collected
photo evidence of the damaged buildings. Some residents are resisting
the move,” said a junior engineer. George Town, Chintadripet, Santhome,
Mylapore, Nungambakkam and Purasawalkam are some of the areas with a
large number of such buildings.

“The owners have
30-days’ time to demolish the buildings. After that, the Chennai
Corporation will take over the demolition. The owners also have the
option of repairing the buildings before obtaining a stability
certificate from structural engineers,” said an official.

Last week, two persons were killed after a 100-year-old building collapsed on Rajaji Salai.

Last week, two persons were killed after a 100-year-old building collapsed on Rajaji Salai