Odisha Government Flags 120 Unsafe Buildings Across Multiple Districts
In a significant revelation during the ongoing Budget session, Odisha Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan informed the state assembly that 120 unsafe buildings have been identified across 18 districts of the state. This assessment, based on recent government evaluations, highlights critical structural concerns in public and private infrastructure.
Cuttack Leads with Highest Number of Unsafe Structures
According to the minister's detailed reply, Cuttack district recorded the highest concentration of unsafe buildings at 22, followed by Bargarh with 11. The identified structures span a variety of types, including school buildings, hospitals, staff quarters, and government offices, indicating widespread safety issues across essential services.
The minister emphasized that local bodies in districts such as Khurda, Ganjam, Rayagada, Nuapada, and Bargarh have been instructed to intensify field surveys of old government quarters, school buildings, and private commercial units. They are required to submit demolition or reconstruction proposals for structures deemed unsafe, aiming to prevent potential disasters.
Urban Safety Experts Call for Immediate Action
Urban safety experts have raised alarms, noting that the 120 buildings under discussion belong specifically to the works department. They warn that if an estimate were made for all structures across the state, the number could increase significantly. "This is high time that the government takes corrective measures after this revelation," stated urban planner Dipu Nanda, underscoring the urgency of addressing these vulnerabilities.
Past Tragedy Highlights Need for Vigilance
The issue of unsafe buildings gained prominence following a tragic incident on November 8 last year in Cuttack. A five-year-old child and two others lost their lives, with two more critically injured, when an old apartment's balcony collapsed and crashed into an adjacent asbestos-roofed house at Mani Sahu Chhak. This event prompted the Cuttack Municipal Corporation to take corrective steps, as officials revealed that the structure had been long abandoned and structurally fragile, despite repeated concerns from locals.
The government's current initiative aims to prevent such tragedies by systematically identifying and addressing unsafe buildings. With instructions issued to local bodies, the focus is on ensuring public safety through timely surveys and necessary interventions.
