'Rath Yatra' to roll over unsafe buildings in Ahmedabad

To ensure an accident free Rath Yatra, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has decided to bring down all unsafe buildings which are on the yatra's route.  
 
According to deputy municipal commissioner IK Patel, 35 such unsafe buildings and houses were identified in Jamalpur, Raikhad, Khadia, Dariapur, Shahpur and Kalupur area. Notices were issued to them a fortnight ago.

"We have given them sufficient time to evacuate so as to ensure safety during the Rath Yatra. We will soon issue a final notice to buildings for the same. So far they are yet to oblige," said Patel. After identifying these houses, AMC asked them to either repair potentially unsafe parts of the structure or stop using them till the yatra gets over.

"If they have not done anything about it, we will either bring that structure down, or serve them a red corner notice which means they will be barred from using that building," said Patel. According to him, five to seven buildings out of the 35 require demolition.

However, such extreme measures by AMC may not be possible due to the monsoon season. According to top officials, there are many factors which hinder the civic body from taking such measures. This year, AMC has served notice to 271 unsafe structures in central zone which may collapse due to heavy rains.

However, issues like owner-tenant agreement and heritage status to old buildings will be taken into consideration before taking any action.  "Since many old houses in pols fall under the heritage category, it is very difficult to either repair or bring the unsafe structure down," said mayor Asit Vora.

Similarly, municipal commissioner I P Gautam said that ownership issues crop up when AMC actions are due. "Disagreements between owner and tenant always hinder our action plans" added Gautam.