33 highrises highly risky to live

SURAT: People living in two multi-storeyed buildings in Athwa zone of the city were shifted earlier and now the residents of 33 buildings have been asked to carry out major structural repairs in their complexes by Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). The civic body does not want to take any chances with rains round the corner and structurally-weak buildings in plenty.
The SMC's town planning department had ensured evacuation from Rushabh Apartment at Athwalines and Kaniya Palace on Ghod Dod Road in Athwa zone recently and in the past 10 days also issued notices to 33 building complexes asking them to undertake repairs within three months as a precautionary measure. Of the 33 building complexes issued notices, 13 are in Athwa zone, four in central zone, five in Katargam zone, eight in Rander zone, one in Limbayat zone and two in Udhna zone.
"We have asked the office-bearers of the societies managing the affairs of the buildings to complete their structural repairs within three months and furnish us the progress report every 15 days," said Manish Doctor, Town Planning Officer (TPO), SMC.
Shankeswar Complex is one of the structures that have been issued the notices. It houses at least 175 shops, including 35 doctors' commercial establishments. It is badly maintained ever since it came up at Kadarsha ni Naal 20 years ago, SMC sources said.
Structural engineer Vijay Shah, who has been entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out the structural changes in Shankeswar Complex, said, "There is no immediate threat to the structure. We have started the process of opening up the structure, cleaning it up of corrosion and rebuilding it."
The association formed by the shop owners in the complex has collected Rs 40 lakh for the repairs. "We have collected Rs 40 per sq feet from all commercial owners for the repairs," said a doctor, who has a clinic clinic in the complex.
"However, there are at least 10 other structures in the city that are in danger of collapsing if no corrective measures are taken," said a top official of town planning department. SMC has become proactive on buildings' stability ever since three accidents in structurally-weak structures claimed three lives in the city between April 29 and May 25.