The Times of India              02.05.2013

SMC to pull down tilted building in Varachha

SURAT: Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) authorities have decided to pull down a dilapidated three-storey building on Varachha Road that had tilted on Tuesday triggering a major scare among the residents.

Senior officers in the SMC's Varachha zone said the residents of the dilapidated 30-year-old building named Ajanta Shopping have been asked to vacate their houses by Wednesday as the demolition will start on Thursday.

Sources said the 200-odd residents had vacated the building on Tuesday itself after it tilted. They had moved out without taking their belonging as they feared that the building could collapse any time. The building houses 24 flats and has 18 shops on the ground floor.

RV Gamit, executive engineer of Varachha zone told TOI, "We have sought the opinion of a couple of senior structural engineers and they are in favour of pulling down the building."

Asked about the alternative arrangement for the residents, Gamit said, "Most of the residents have managed on their own. In fact, we had offered them an alternative place. But, they have already shifted their belongings at the houses of their relatives and friends."