Fitness of old private buildings remains unchecked in Kozhikode

The fitness of many old buildings in the private sector remains unchecked in Kozhikode district though such facilities are frequently being rented out with no concern for safety. A majority of such residential buildings in Kozhikode city are reportedly used for temporary accommodation of migrant workers.

“On February 25, the sunshade of one such private facility collapsed near the Valiyangadi market. The incident occurred a day after a major building collapse in the same area claimed four lives,” said K. Zakariya, a loading worker in Kozhikode city who witnessed the incident. He said some landlords were least bothered about carrying out building maintenance works.

The alleged reluctance on the part of some tenants to vacate such facilities was also found troubling many landlords. Some building owners revealed that the timely maintenance or reconstruction works were delayed in many locations with the non-cooperation of tenants, especially those occupying commercial buildings.

“Though some of the old buildings were demolished in different parts of the district as part of the road widening works, there is no proper audit to list out the remaining dangerous ones along the road or other populated areas. A simple inspection by the building inspectors can bring to light a factual report,” says a retired Public Works department engineer. He points out that there should be actions to blacklist the unfit facilities apart from stopping the property tax collection.

Though structural safety audits of old public buildings used for schools, hospitals and local body institutions happen at regular intervals under the supervision of qualified engineers, such an inspection is hardly conducted to check the condition of many old facilities in the private sector. The delay has prompted many building owners to put on hold the necessary maintenance, reinforcing or demolition works.

“Last year, there were instructions from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to prepare a list of all unfit buildings in the public sector. There were also instructions to use a special software to enter the details of such buildings and assess it with the support of a team of experts from various government departments. Such a system should be made applicable for the private sector as well,” says V. Jayan, an engineer, earlier worked with the Electricity Inspectorate. He points out that issuing annual fitness certificates for all buildings older than 25 years should be made mandatory.

Meanwhile, Corporation sources said the possibility of inspecting private buildings would be considered on completion of the ongoing safety audit covering public facilities. Support of the Labour department would be sought to examine the situation of various buildings now in the possession of migrant workers, they said.