Farmers Movement Archive

Unsafe buildings in Amritsar pose a threat to lives of residents

Tribune News ServiceAmritsar, August 30Old and unsafe buildings in the city are posing a threat to the lives of residents as these may collapse anytime due to heavy rain during the monsoon.During the last rain on Friday, three old buildings collapsed, claiming four lives.According to the last survey by the MC in 2017, there were around 125 unsafe buildings in the city. The MC had reportedly issued notices to the owners of these buildings. No survey has been conducted after that.However, a number of such buildings have collapsed due to rain and claimed several lives. Despite this, the MC did not take any preventive measures prior to the onset of the monsoon this year. Officials of the civic body have only issued notice in case of complaints by neighbours, but have not followed up the cases.Last year, buildings in the walled city, Ghee Madi, Katra Ahluwalia Bazaar, Guru Bazaar, Pratap Bazaar, Cheel Mandi, and around the Golden Temple collapsed due to downpour. A MC official said notices were served on owners of old buildings, asking them to either get these repaired or vacate these and move to a safer place. MC officials claimed they were unable to take any action in the matter as several cases were sub judice.Mayor Karmajit Singh Rintu assured of taking action in this regard. A large numbers of buildings in the city are centuries old. Sikh shrines, akharas (sects), bhungas and seminaries are in a good condition as theses have been renovated a number of times. A number of buildings of the British-era are still in a good shape. Most of the unsafe buildings are residential which owners are not keen to demolish or renovate.

The Tribune

2020-08-31