132 unsafe buildings in Ludhiana city, many over 100 years old: Survey

Ludhiana MC officials claim that the owners and tenants in most of buildings that were found unsafe in the survey are at loggerheads over possession and the cases are sub-judice, due to which action cannot be taken

Not just RT Woolen Mills on RK Road, but there are 132 unsafe buildings in the city that pose a risk to the public, a survey carried out by the civic body had revealed. However, the buildings have neither been razed nor was any action taken against the owners.

Of the 132 unsafe buildings flagged in the survey , 64 buildings are in Zone A, 21 in Zone B, 14 in Zone C and 33 in Zone D of the Ludhiana municipal corporation. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

Many buildings that were constructed over 100 years ago are still occupied. “The civic body has been writing to the police department to get these buildings vacated stating that the MC does not have the powers to get the buildings vacated under Municipal Corporation Act, 1976.” 

MC officials claim that the owners and tenants in most of buildings are at loggerheads over possession and the cases are sub-judice, due to which the MC cannot take any action. Notices have been issued to the occupants saying they must vacate the vulnerable buildings.

Of the 132 buildings, 64 buildings are in Zone A, 21 in Zone B, 14 in Zone C and 33 in Zone D. The buildings are situated in the Chaura Bazar area, Daresi Road, Rarri Mohalla, Lakkar Bazar, Field Ganj, Iqbal Ganj chowk, Moti Nagar, Amarpura, Dashmesh Nagar near Gill Chowk, Jawaddi and Barewal among other areas.