Hyderabad is taking steps to protect people and property from the effects of recent and expected heavy rains. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has already addressed issues with 327 out of 685 identified old and weak buildings. On Tuesday, GHMC Commissioner R V Karnan and the Chief City Planner discussed the progress in a meeting with Town Planning officials.
In response to the ongoing heavy rainfall warning, Karnan instructed officials to stay alert and ensure safety measures for unstable buildings and excavation sites. He emphasized the need to reassess these sites due to recent continuous rains and take immediate action when necessary.
Pending issues in the Khairatabad, Secunderabad, and Charminar zones were highlighted, with instructions given to ensure all cases are addressed. Of the 685 identified dilapidated buildings, 327 have been either repaired or vacated. For the remaining 358, steps like issuing notices, conducting safety assessments, and advising owners to leave have been started.
Among 154 identified cellar excavation sites, work on 61 has been completed with measures like building retaining walls. The remaining 93 sites are still in progress. Additionally, 52 unauthorized cellars have been addressed by issuing notices and beginning closure using construction and demolition waste. Officials have been told to inspect all critical dilapidated buildings, ensure residents’ safety, and counsel them to vacate if needed. The safety of nearby structures around excavated cellars is also being checked.
All Town Planning officers and staff must stay on duty in the coming days due to the rain forecast, and they cannot take leave or leave their stations without permission unless it’s an emergency.
