Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has intensified its drive to identify and take action against unsafe and dilapidated buildings posing a threat to public safety.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the government had already assessed unsafe government buildings and issued notices wherever necessary.
He said the Department had conducted a fresh review of the situation and directed officials to speed up action against buildings found to be unsafe.
Mahapatra said all government buildings identified as unsafe had been examined based on the assessment. He added that notices would soon be issued for demolition of buildings found to be unsafe.
The minister further said the government would take firm and timely action against unsafe structures under its jurisdiction. Buildings under the Housing and Urban Development Department will be dealt with by the Department.
Unsafe structures belonging to other government departments will be brought to the notice of the respective authorities for necessary action, he said.
The government has also decided to include unsafe private buildings in the ongoing safety assessment. According to the minister, owners of private buildings found to be dangerous or structurally vulnerable will be issued notices under applicable rules and statutory provisions.
A 15-day inquiry and inspection team has been constituted to ensure a comprehensive and time-bound assessment. The team will inspect buildings identified as potentially unsafe and examine their structural condition.
The team will submit its findings within the stipulated period. The government will take further action based on the findings of the inspection team.
Mahapatra said buildings found to fall under the unsafe category and pose a serious threat to public safety would face necessary action, including demolition wherever warranted.
The initiative is particularly significant for cities such as Cuttack and Puri, where several old and privately owned structures require closer examination.
Urban Local Bodies and other concerned authorities will carry out inspections and identify structures that could pose risks to residents, pedestrians and the general public.
The government said the exercise is preventive and focused on public safety. Authorities will assess buildings to identify structural risks before they result in loss of life or property.
The Housing and Urban Development Department will coordinate with Urban Local Bodies and other government departments to ensure that inspections, notices and subsequent action are carried out systematically and within the prescribed timeframe.
The government has reiterated that public safety remains a priority and that unsafe structures posing risks to life and property will not be left unattended.
