Visakhapatnam civic body to serve notices to owners of old buildings

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has been identifying unsafe buildings every year and serving notices to owners to renovate if the building is structurally sound. However, many owners turn a deaf ear to the notices due to lack of financial means or emotional attachment to the buildings. The recent building collapse in Ramajogipeta that killed three people has prompted the GVMC to take action by serving notices to owners of old buildings.

In 2016, GVMC officials identified 320 structures, and the number has since increased to 450. The city has over 3.5 lakh residential buildings, including individual houses, apartments, and housing complexes, and 40,000 non-residential buildings, such as shops, malls, hotels, and cinema halls, in addition to another 15,000 residential-cum-commercial buildings. Structural audits, which examine the durability and lifespan of buildings, are allegedly not regularly conducted, making buildings over 40 years old and those that have undergone unscientific changes prone to collapse.

Ten years ago, GVMC officials identified around 450 buildings for demolition, with most being 100 to 140 years old. Of the identified buildings, around 75% were located in Kotaveedhi, Port Area, Poorna Market, Kurupam market, Jalaripeta, Maharanipeta, and other areas in the old town. The GVMC can take action against dilapidated buildings according to section 456 of the Hyderabad Municipal Act, 1955. GVMC Commissioner P Raja Babu stated that they will soon serve notices to owners of old buildings in the old town area, known as Zone One, which has the most dilapidated buildings.

Owners may resist receiving notices due to lack of financial resources or emotional attachment to their buildings. However, it is crucial to address unsafe buildings' risk, as the lack of maintenance and structural integrity can lead to deadly building collapses. The GVMC's action plan aims to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and to prevent potential disasters. It is also essential for the GVMC to conduct regular structural audits to identify unsafe buildings promptly.

Building collapses have become a global concern, with cities such as Miami and Mumbai experiencing deadly building collapses in recent years. Neglected maintenance, lack of structural audits, and poor building regulations can contribute to such disasters. To prevent building collapses, authorities need to take proactive measures to identify unsafe buildings and ensure that building codes and regulations are followed. Building safety should always be a top priority to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.

Next (Property tax collections in Chennai double in the financial year 2022-23)

Visakhapatnam civic body to serve notices to owners of old buildings

This Month

Overview

Explore

Join Us