Odisha Government Takes Action After Tragic Building Collapse
The Odisha government has announced an immediate statewide demolition drive targeting unsafe and dilapidated structures, following a tragic building collapse in Cuttack that claimed three lives on Saturday. The decision comes amid growing public outrage over the incident and demands for accountability from civic authorities.
Cuttack Tragedy Sparks Immediate Government Response
The fatal incident occurred on Saturday evening at Mani Sahu Chowk when the balcony of a five-storey abandoned apartment collapsed onto a neighbouring asbestos-roofed house, crushing the victims under heavy debris. What makes this tragedy particularly alarming is that the building had been previously declared unsafe, yet no preventive action was taken despite warnings.
In response to the public outcry, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra announced on Sunday that the government would fast-track the identification and demolition of dangerous buildings across the state. "The public works department will declare buildings unsafe, and the urban development department will ensure their demolition," Mahapatra clarified during his announcement.
Widespread Problem Across Urban Centers
The issue of unsafe structures extends beyond Cuttack to other urban centers in Odisha. Bhagawan Patra, a resident of Old Town in Bhubaneswar, highlighted the widespread nature of the problem: "Like Cuttack, Bhubaneswar is one of the oldest cities in the state. The city does have many old buildings, which need to be demolished."
Official data reveals the scale of the challenge facing authorities:
- The Bhubaeswar Development Authority (BDA) has issued demolition orders for 191 illegal or unsafe structures
- The Bhubaeswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is handling over 1,400 cases of unauthorized constructions
- Many of these buildings violate fire safety, environmental, and structural norms
Government Implements Standard Operating Procedure
The state government has outlined a clear Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for dealing with unsafe buildings. According to the established protocol, the works department bears responsibility for declaring buildings unsafe, while the urban development department oversees their demolition.
Real estate expert Bimalendu Pradhan provided technical insight into the safety assessment process: "All the buildings with five floors or more than 10 metres in height are low-risk buildings, but they should be checked for structural safety."
The government has made a clear distinction between public and private properties in its approach. All government-owned properties will be handled directly by the state authorities, while private owners are expected to act responsibly and report structural risks in their buildings to the concerned departments.
Public Demand for Immediate Action
Residents across affected urban areas have urged civic bodies to conduct immediate structural surveys and barricade dangerous buildings to prevent further accidents. The public demands come with growing awareness about building safety issues in older urban neighborhoods.
In response to these concerns, authorities are planning public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about building safety standards and proper reporting mechanisms for structural risks.
The BDA has already initiated demolition drives in key areas like Master Canteen, targeting illegal establishments that obstruct urban redevelopment projects. This proactive approach signals the government's commitment to addressing the longstanding issue of unsafe structures before more tragedies occur.
As Odisha moves forward with this crucial safety initiative, the focus remains on balancing urban development with public safety, ensuring that the tragic loss of three lives in Cuttack leads to meaningful, lasting change in how the state manages its building infrastructure.
