Hyderabad is getting ready for the upcoming monsoon season, and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has started taking important safety steps across the city.
To prevent accidents during heavy rains, the GHMC is focusing on identifying and handling old and damaged buildings. These buildings pose a serious risk, especially during storms and downpours.
GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan has ordered officials to take strong action. He directed teams to survey each area and find weakened structures, such as crumbling walls and unsafe buildings. Once identified, these places will be flagged for either demolition, repair, or evacuation.
Karnan stressed that government school buildings in poor condition must be reported immediately to the school principals or the Director of School Education. Quick action must follow to ensure student safety.
For buildings that pose immediate danger, GHMC will issue evacuation notices. The most risky ones will be sealed off, and barricades and warning signs will be put up to alert the public.
If building owners want to repair their properties, they must follow GHMC’s safety guidelines closely. If the buildings are beyond repair, a demolition drive will be launched.
All information about these buildings will be organized in a Google spreadsheet, which will be regularly updated and sent to the GHMC headquarters for review.
Deputy City Planners and Assistant City Planners have been told to act fast. They need to complete surveys and submit reports without delay. Executive Engineers, under the Chief Engineer (Maintenance), will check the structural stability of each building.
Meanwhile, Zonal Commissioners must oversee all operations in their zones and ensure that every task is completed on time. The Commissioner made it clear that any official who delays or ignores these safety efforts will face disciplinary action.
Last year, GHMC found over 500 unsafe buildings in six parts of the city. Many were either demolished or repaired as part of a safety drive.
With the monsoon nearing, the GHMC is stepping up its efforts to make sure Hyderabad stays safe from the dangers of old, unstable structures.
