Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has launched a 15-day inspection drive to identify structurally unsafe buildings across urban areas of the State, with a focus on preventing accidents and protecting lives and property.
The Housing and Urban Development department has directed inspection teams to identify, assess and evaluate buildings that may pose a threat to public safety and initiate legal action wherever necessary.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said the safety of citizens remains the government’s top priority and that no unsafe structure posing a threat to human life would be ignored.
The Minister said assessments of several dangerous government buildings had already been carried out and notices issued wherever required. He added that another review meeting was held with the department on Monday to assess the situation.
“Based on the assessments, all government buildings identified as unsafe have been inspected and notices have been issued. We held another review with the department yesterday. Soon, notices will be issued for demolition of buildings that have been found to be unsafe,” Mahapatra said.
The department will take necessary action against unsafe buildings under its jurisdiction. In the case of buildings belonging to other government departments, the concerned departments will be informed and coordinated action will be taken.
The inspection drive will also cover privately owned buildings. Structures found to be dangerous or in extremely weak condition will be inspected under the existing laws and regulations. Owners may be served notices and face further legal action wherever necessary.
As part of the 15-day campaign, inspection teams will conduct detailed examinations of buildings suspected to be unsafe. Their structural condition and overall safety will be assessed, with inspection reports to be submitted within the stipulated period.
“The inspection teams will conduct thorough assessments. Buildings classified as unsafe after inspection will face necessary action under the law. Wherever required, such structures will be demolished,” the Minister said.
The inspection drive assumes particular significance in older towns such as Kataka and Puri, where several ageing and structurally weakened buildings have remained in use for decades.
Urban local bodies and other concerned authorities will assist the inspection teams in identifying and assessing such structures and implementing subsequent measures.
The government has described the initiative as a preventive and safety-oriented measure aimed at identifying structural risks before they result in accidents. The department will coordinate with urban local bodies and other government agencies to ensure that inspections, notices and subsequent legal action are completed within a stipulated timeframe.
The Odisha Government’s move comes in the wake of a building collapse in Delhi on Sunday that claimed seven lives, including five students, and injured several others.
The collapsed building, known as ‘HostelDaze’ PG, was a ground-plus-four-storey structure. At least 12 people were rescued from the rubble between Sunday and Monday evening, but seven of them died.
The incident has also raised questions over alleged unauthorised structural modifications to an ageing building. According to the FIR registered in the case, the owners, identified as Hariram Bansal alias Gupta and his brother, allegedly added four floors to the old structure to increase rental income despite concerns over its ability to bear the additional load.
The building was reportedly around 50 years old. The Gupta family had recently undertaken repairs and converted the property into a paying guest facility, reportedly taking advantage of its proximity to Delhi University.
Against this backdrop, the Odisha Government’s 15-day inspection campaign is aimed at ensuring that potentially hazardous structures are identified and appropriate preventive measures are taken before tragedy strikes.
The Housing and Urban Development Department has reiterated that citizen safety will remain the government’s foremost priority and that unsafe structures posing a threat to public life and property will not be allowed to remain unchecked.