Staff Reporter :

 

The rescue and demolition operation at the old multi-storey building that collapsed during rain at Bada Fuhara on Tuesday night continued for the third consecutive day on Thursday. The Jabalpur Municipal Corporation is carefully removing the dangerous portion of the structure while ensuring the safety of nearby buildings and residents. It may be noted that soon after the incident, civic teams cleared the debris scattered across the road and moved it to one side. A temporary ramp was then prepared over the debris to allow machines to reach the upper portion of the damaged building. The remaining unsafe section is being dismantled in a phased manner. The operation is being carried out with extreme caution as more than half-a-dozen houses and shops are located next to the collapsed building. Officials said any hurried demolition could pose a risk to adjoining structures. As a precautionary measure, six families living nearby, along with shopkeepers in the area, have been shifted to safer locations until the operation is completed. Senior officials informed that since the structure is very old and comparatively tall, it is being demolished gradually through a combination of manual work and machinery. The aim is to ensure that no damage is caused to neighbouring buildings during the operation. Nearly 50 personnel from the Building Department, Encroachment Wing, Health Department and Fire Brigade have been deployed at the site. The teams have been working continuously to remove the unsafe portions, situated in rear portion of the building while maintaining all necessary safety measures.

 

It may be mentioned that the building had collapsed on Tuesday night during rainfall at Bada Fuhara. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as the market had already closed by the time the incident occurred. Following the collapse, the Municipal Corporation has expedited its drive against old and dangerous buildings across the city. Officials said notices have already been issued to owners of more than 150 old and unsafe buildings. Of these, 25 structures have been identified as requiring demolition due to their hazardous condition. Meanwhile, Additional Commissioner Saurabh Mishra inspected another highly dilapidated building being used as a night shelter located opposite Pisanhari Ki Madhiya in Virendrapuri Ward. During inspection, he reviewed the structural condition of the building and directed officials to initiate required legal and technical action without delay. Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh and Municipal Commissioner Ram Prakash Ahirwar said public safety remains the JMC’s top priority. They said weak and dilapidated structures become highly vulnerable during the monsoon and can lead to serious accidents if timely action is not taken. The civic body said it has already demolished more than 30 extremely dilapidated and dangerous buildings in different wards of the city as part of its ongoing safety drive. At the same time, a fresh survey to identify more unsafe structures is being carried out on a war footing so that preventive action can be taken before any untoward incident occurs.