Advertisement
The Odisha High Court has ordered the Cuttack district administration to submit an immediate status report on over 700 structurally unsafe buildings across the city. The directive follows rising safety concerns in densely populated zones like Nimchouri, Nayasarak, and Buxi Bazar. A joint task force has identified 12 high-risk buildings needing urgent action, with the Sub-Collector instructed to act under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The court demanded an updated affidavit on survey progress and remedial measures. Despite surveys proposed as early as 2010, sustained action has lagged-prompting the court's push for accountability amid incidents of collapses and near-misses.
The Odisha high court has directed the Cuttack district administration to furnish an immediate and detailed status report regarding over 700 buildings identified as structurally unsafe across the city. The directive comes amid growing concerns over public safety, especially in densely populated residential and commercial zones. Advertisement
During the session, the Deputy Commissioner appeared via videoconference and informed the court that a joint task force comprising officials from the Roads and Buildings Division, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, the Cuttack Development Authority, and the office of the Sub-Collector had already initiated survey operations. The team has so far identified 12 high-risk buildings that require urgent action. The Sub-Collector has been instructed to proceed with measures under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The larger survey, however, remains in progress.
The court insisted that the nodal officer overseeing the operation must submit an updated affidavit outlining current findings, next steps, and actions taken whether evacuations, demolition orders, or structural reinforcements. Areas flagged as highly vulnerable include Nimchouri, Nayasarak, Chandni Chowk, Buxi Bazar, Bamphisahi, and Badambadi CESU Colony.
Concerns over such structures in Cuttack date back to 2010 when the administration first proposed a survey following a major building collapse in Delhi. Despite similar efforts initiated again in 2019, no effective or sustained action has been taken over the years. Several past incidents have only heightened the urgency: in one case, a labourer was killed due to the collapse of a government boundary wall; in others, near-misses in crumbling residential areas alarmed both locals and authorities.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
