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361 buildings pulled down: GHMC chief

Tuesday, 30 July 2013 00:00 administrator
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The Times of India           30.07.2013

361 buildings pulled down: GHMC chief

HYDERABAD: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has demolished 361 dilapidated buildings of 654 identified, according to commissioner MT Krishna Babu said. Another 293 notices have been issued to owners of decades-old buildings for strengthening their structures and they would be demolished if they fail to renovate these structures.

Interacting with newsmen here on Monday, the commissioner said the corporation was getting information to call centre '155304' on the dilapidated buildings which were being inspected by the assistant city planner and executive engineers of the respective circles. If any confusion arises regarding the strength and stability of the building, cases were being referred to third party like JNTU.

On complaints pertaining to encroachment of park land at Rock Town Residential Welfare Society near L B Nagar, the commissioner said GHMC had already taken up construction of compound walls of open spaces and parks to safeguard its properties. He said 700 open spaces were protected from encroachments by constructing compound walls in the past three years.

With regard to Ramzan and Bonalu festivals

The commissioner added that Rs 10 crore for Bonalu and Rs 12 crore for Ramzan was sanctioned to take up works like sanitation improvement, deploying additional vehicles for lifting debris in and around places of worship, providing temporary streetlights and toilets wherever required.

 

60 days after survey, AMC pulls down first dilapidated structure

Tuesday, 30 July 2013 00:00 administrator
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The Times of India           30.07.2013

60 days after survey, AMC pulls down first dilapidated structure

AURANGABAD: The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has finally demolished the first dilapidated building from a lot of nineteen high-risk category structures in the city on Monday. Municipal commissioner Gokul Maware has recently given a green signal to the department concerned to pull down five dangerous structures.

Administrative officer in the AMC, Vithal Dhake, said that there was no opposition from the owner of the century-old building. Located at Tilak Path near Paithan Gate in the heart of the city, the building was one among the high-risk category buildings sealed by the administration last month.

Last year, nearly half of the building's facade was demolished by the civic body under its road widening drive.

Some days back, a non-identified 150-year-old building in Lotakaranja area had collapsed raising doubts about the authenticity of the AMC survey. Besides, despite having evacuated the identified dilapidated buildings, the AMC had not initiated action against them. According to state directives, all municipal bodies were supposed to identify dilapidated buildings and demolish the same before monsoon.

When asked whether the AMC would pull down all the dilapidated buildings, Dhake said that in some cases there was resistance from property owners and a few had approached the court for a stay against the action. "We are acting as per orders of the municipal commissioner," he said refusing to comment on the remaining dilapidated buildings.

The municipal corporation had started the survey of such buildings from April 22 as per the instructions of the state. During the survey of all commercial and residential buildings, it came across 58 dilapidated structures. Of these, 10 were deemed hazardous for human life. Thirty others were deemed equally dangerous and needed immediate action, while the remaining were also considered unsafe for residents.

 

Old municipal building spared MMC axe

Tuesday, 30 July 2013 00:00 administrator
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The Times of India           30.07.2013

Old municipal building spared MMC axe

MARGAO: The historic CamaraMuncipal de Salsette building, still showing glimpses of its old grandeur, faces the axe of demolition, but heritage lovers see a ray of hope, as its owner has shown interest in restoring the crumbling edifice.

Built in 1778 during the Portuguese regime, it stood majestically along the old market road near the city's entrance, slowly disintegrating due to neglect and exposure to the elements after its abandonment about a century ago. "The timber roof of the ground plus one masonry building has completely collapsed," Jose Lourenco, a civil engineer and heritage lover, said.

A part of the wall on the first floor collapsed recently. Taking cognizance of its unsafe condition, Margao Municipal Council (MMC) initiated the process for its demolition.

MMC chief officer Deepali Naik confirmed that the notice was issued to the owners on May 23 under the provisions of the Goa Municipalities Act.

"The South Goa collector had written to the MMC to initiate demolition proceedings as the building was in a dilapidated condition and endangered the lives of the occupants and the public as well," Naik told TOI.

Heritage lovers, upset about the possible loss of the city's historic landmark, approached the MMC and the owners with a plea to conserve the building. "This old building which served as a municipal building for about 120 years since 1778 needs to be conserved and protected for posterity," Prajal Sakhardande of the Goa heritage action group said.

But the MMC chief officer said the civic body cannot consider its conservation as it is private property.

Restoring and partly reconstructing the building is possible. "The restoration can be done as the foundations are very strong. The ground floor masonry can be repaired but the first floor masonry has to be reconstructed," Lourenco said.

MMC should ensure the occupants' evacuation and put up a temporary barricade around it. "No person should be allowed to occupy any of the rooms and conduct any business," Lourenco added.

Alina Araujo Vaz, the owner of the historic building, denied that her family had received the notice.

"We have written to MMC, informing it that we will restore the building," Vaz told TOI on Monday.

 
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