Apathy of AMC enforces 350 persons in 41 dilapidated buildings to risk their lives!

Aurangabad, June 4:

The apathy of Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) officials is enforcing 350 persons staying in 41 dilapidated buildings to risk their lives. As usual, the AMC has completed the formality of served notices to the owners of dilapidated and dangerous buildings with warning vacate the properties.

Every year, the issue of the building emerges for discussion ahead of monsoon season. During the first wave of Coronavirus, the AMC set aside the discussion on these buildings during the last year. Life is restoring to normalcy in the second wave, this year. The condition of many of these dilapidated buildings is pathetic and may collapse at any moment. The question arises why the AMC is waiting for any untoward incident to happen or anybody loses a life.

The city is receiving unexpected rainfall (of Rohini), but and the AMC is busy in removing small encroachments from various parts of the city. The civic administration has no time to demolish the dilapidated structures posing danger to the occupants, neighbours, and others in the vicinity.

As per the AMC reports, the old and dilapidated buildings are situated in Gulmandi, Kasari Bazaar, Rangar Galli, Deewan Deodi, City Chowk, Raja Bazaar, Shahgunj, Pandariba, Aurangpura, Dalalwadi, Chunabhatti, and Paithan Gate areas. They are 100-years old and exist in densely populated areas in the city. It is feared that they may crumble or reduce to debris if there is heavy rainfall or blowing of strong winds. Hence, to save the human loss, there is a dire need to vacate these structures immediately.

As a formality, the AMC like every year served notices to the building-owners. It is a mystery, why AMC is not showing enthusiasm in demolishing these properties and saving human lives. If any untoward incident takes place then who would be held responsible for it?

When contacted the additional commissioner R P Nikam said, " There is a conflict between the owner and the tenants in more than 50 percent of the existing dilapidated buildings. Hence the cases are sub judice in various courts. We could not intervene in the legal issue. Reviewing the possible danger, the administration had alerted the occupants of these dangerous buildings and also served notices."

Boxxxxxxxxx

" Our Gattani building (near Gulmandi Parking) was declared as dangerous many years ago, but despite our demand, the AMC is not ready to demolish the dilapidated portion of the building," said Nilesh Gattani.

Adds Sanjay Patel, " Our's is the fourth generation staying in the building next to Supari Hanuman temple. The building is dilapidated, but we do not have any alternate place. We are maintaining it on our own for the past many years. We fear of lives, but there is no option."

Meera Mahalkar said, " Some portion of our building in Begumpura pose danger. Hence the AMC served notice to us. Our financial condition is weak, therefore, we had not vacated the possession. However, we are planning to leave the house for safety."