WAKE UP CALL
Municipal Corporation team was here. They oversaw the building evacuation as it was declared unsafe. But some people had gone back to the building on Sunday,’’ said AMC Commissioner Vijay Nehra.
Mayor Patel, standing committee chairman Amul Bhatt and Odhav councillor Bharat Patel seconded it.
”Notice was issued only at 4 pm Sunday, hours before the building collapsed,” said Pravin Sikotia, a residents of the society. “I saw them coming down like a pack of cards,” he added.
A colony of around 70 blocksm each 3-storey-high, was constructed in 1998 for the economical weaker section by the government with the World Bank assistance. Possession for the same had been given to the beneficiaries from 1999.
The AMC officials maintained that in 18 years since the society was built, a large number beneficiaries had moved out and rented out their apartments.
Recently, a team of the municipal corporation had conducted a survey of the two blocks after residents complained about major cracks running through the structure and the plaster peeling off at several places.
Chief minister Vijay Rupani expressed his condolence, ”It is unfortunate that one life has been lost. I have gathered all the details and came to know that building had been evacuated.”
A Congress party delegation led by state chief Amit Chavda visited the site and talked to the displaced. Congress MLA Lalit Vasoya said, “The collapse indicates that contractor might have used inferior material and because of that we lost one life.”
Mayor Patel, added, ”Until now our priority was the rescue operation. Now we will take up the inspection reports about the building.” All four big municipal corporation in Gujarat- Ahmeadbad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot-on Monday ordered inspections in all government housing schemes and evacuate if necessary.
“First a survey of rest of 68 blocks at affected Shivam site in Ahmedabad’s Odhav has been ordered. There will be immediate evacuation, if required’’, said Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner Vijay Nehra, adding, “This will be soon followed by similar sites in all other parts across the city.” Nehra maintained that as of now no building has been declared unsafe. “But there are some old private properties in old city areas(eastern Ahmedabad), that were declared unsafe and owners were asked to vacant the places. This will also be followed up,” he said.