Urban News

The Pioneer  18.11.2010

Staff Reporter | New Delhi

In a knee-jerk reaction to the building collapse incident, the MCD has served notices on 38 property owners to evacuate their buildings failing which they will be sealed.

The decision of the civic body is likely to affect nearly 228 families in the area. With the unexpected notice, they are apprehensive about their future and place of residence.

However, even as the incident, which claimed 66 lives three days ago, the MCD is yet to initiate action against the erring officials and rather looking for ways out to blame other agencies for the tragic incident.

Sources said the Divisional Commissioner has been asked by the Delhi Government to organise relief arrangements for the affected people by the evacuation notices. A few of the occupants of the premises, which have been served eviction notice, left the place immediately with uncertainty.

“We left the place after it was declared unsafe and have presently shifted to a community centre. But we are apprehensive about our future, what will we do? Rain and weather conditions also trouble us a lot, especially the women and children,” said Shomu Haldar, a daily-wager whose work has been affected following the mayhem in Lalita Park.

Deepak, another resident of the area demanded, “Proper alternative arrangements should be made before vacating the buildings. Where will the people go in this inclement weather. The city has been experiencing intermittent rain since morning?”

Senior Delhi Government officials said they are making arrangements for the stay of the injured children and women at its own shelter homes.

“There are several children and women who have lost their kin and have nowhere to go. Once they are discharged from hospital after their treatment we will send children to Lajpat Nagar Children Home and women to Nirmal Chhaya, Hari Nagar Women Shelter Home,” said Kiran Walia, Delhi Health Minister.

East Delhi district Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) SS Ghonkrokta said people from two adjoining buildings were asked to vacate and now the Delhi Government is providing food and shelter to them. “We have already made arrangements in two community centres where around 200 people can be accommodated.”

However, he said the MCD did not inform the Delhi Government about the vacation notices served on 38 unsafe buildings. Leader of MCD House Subhash Arya said the civic body will set up shelters for such people, if necessary.

Meanwhile, MCD spokesperson Deep Chand Mathur said, “On the basis of the survey carried out in Lalita Park and adjoining colonies, the MCD served vacation notices on 38 buildings where it was found that Yamuna water had seeped into their basements. It appeared that the water was stagnating in basements for a long period.

MCD’s technical teams assessed that water might have seeped into the foundation of the buildings, thereby posing danger to the structures of the buildings. Owners and residents of these buildings have been served notice to vacate buildings at the earliest.” He also said that a number of these buildings will be demolished by the civic agency if they are structurally unsafe.

As per the directions issued by the Lt-Governor after building collapse in Lalita Park on Monday, the MCD has been carrying out the survey to find out, which premises are unsafe and not suitable for occupants as preventive measures.

The MCD has constituted a team of three chief engineers and one superintending engineer to technical examine the buildings in the area. The team is expected to submit its report by Thursday.