The Hindu 23.12.2010
Identify unsafe buildings, Balaraju tells officials
| Lays stress on approval by structural engineers and occupancy certificate |
Unauthorised constructions on hill-slopes should be checked, says Minister
Efforts being made to complete the JNNURM houses by April
VISAKHAPATNAM: Tribal Welfare Minister P. Balaraju on Wednesday directed VUDA and GVMC to see to it that safety and quality were maintained in construction of buildings in view of the recent incidents of retaining walls' collapse at Marripalem. Besides identifying buildings that lacked safety, unauthorised constructions on hill-slopes should be checked and precautionary measures taken to prevent loss of life and property, the Minister said.
At a review meeting on GVMC, housing and JNNURM here on Wednesday, he laid particular emphasis on approval by structural engineers and occupancy certificate.
Mr. Balaraju wanted steps to be taken to prevent loss to owners as their apartments became uninhabitable after the walls collapsed. Builders should be also involved in finding a way out.
Directive to officials
He directed officials to exempt JNNURM houses involved in litigation and allot the other units. He expressed unhappiness at houses constructed by the housing corporation from 2008-09 not being ready for occupation because infrastructure was not provided.
District Collector J. Syamala Rao said all necessary action would be taken and the issue (of wall collapse) was discussed with the higher-ups. He directed the Town Planning officials to identify unauthorised constructions and those likely to result in untoward incidents.
Municipal Commissioner V.N. Vishnu said all efforts were being made to complete the JNNURM houses by April so as to get first position in the country.
Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao, MLA P. Ramesh Babu, MLC D.V. Suryanarayana Raju, Deputy Mayor K. Dorabbai, District Library Organisation Chairman Thota Nagesh, Additional Joint Collector S. Satyanarayana and Chief City Planner D. Venkataratnam participated.
