Kalyan residents in shaky buildings face strict action

The building collapse in Bhiwandi has prodded the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) to review its list of dangerous buildings.

There are 634 dangerous structures in KDMC jurisdiction. Among these, 296 are dangerous but can be repaired and 338 are extremely dangerous. Five extremely dangerous building have been demolished and others have got notice to vacate.

KDMC public relations officer Prasad Thakur said: “Bhiwandi collapse is a lesson. We have asked the ward officers to serve notices, tell occupants about dangers of living in dangerous and dilapidated buildings. If people don’t vacate even then, water and power supply might be cut and we would force them out of dangerous buildings.”

Thakur said they don’t have a rehabilitation plan for those who vacate their homes but are looking at temporary options such as community halls to relocate them.

When E Ravendiran took over as KDMC chief in 2015, a meeting was called on dilapidated building. A team of ward officers, two executive engineers, two deputy engineers and two survey officers in charge looked into the issue. But, other then collating data, not much was done.

KDMC civic chief E Ravendiran, who is also in charge of Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation, could not be reached for comment. He didn’t respond to the text message.

According to recent figure by PRO department, BNMC has 655 dangerous and extremely dangerous structures among which 17 are unfit for living and this includes three school buildings.

After Kabir Seth building in Gaibi Nagar collapsed killing eight and injuring 22 people, the municipal corporations are on toes to prevent such incidents.

Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation public relations officer Sachin Zhalke said:“We have been reminding occupants that buildings are not safe. Kabir Seth building too had been given evacuation notice. Few occupants had left while others continue to live there.”

He said they had also disconnected power and water supply but residents had refused to vacate. “Now, the ward officers have been asked to send notices to occupants of 17 dangerous buildings. If they fail to vacate, power and water supply would be cut and we may seek police help to remove residents,” said Zhalke.

The corporation does not have a rehabilitation plan for the displaced so residents are unwilling to leave their homes. “A draft has been made to rehabilitate people in community halls and night shelters. Once the plan is approved by the civic chief, the 17 buildings will be evacuated and demolished within three to four days,” said Zhalke.