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The Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed ward officials to promptly report any developments that pose a threat to public safety. According to the 2011 census, approximately 2.8% of housing in the state capital is in a dilapidated condition. This instruction aims to ensure that any structures posing risks to the public are identified and addressed before the onset of monsoon. The BMC is actively striving to red-flag these deteriorating buildings, highlighting the importance of monitoring and maintenance to safeguard the well-being of residents in Bhopal.
Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, is grappling with a pressing issue as approximately 450 residences are deemed dilapidated, according to government estimates. In response to this alarming situation, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed ward officials to promptly report any developments that could jeopardize public safety. The last census conducted in 2011 indicated that around 2.8% of housing in the state capital was in a dilapidated state. With the monsoon season looming, the BMC's emergency call center is bracing itself for potential challenges.
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Conservationists are also urging authorities to closely monitor any intentional harm that may be inflicted upon heritage properties. Back in 2017, conservationists vehemently criticized the BMC for demolishing a balcony at Zeenat Mahal. Unfortunately, even after six years, efforts to restore the structure, which is connected to Shaukat Mahal and is one of the few privately owned royal palaces in the city, have yet to materialize.
Sources reveal that substantial damage has occurred since then, further threatening the integrity of the structure. To prepare for emergencies, the BMC possesses five high-capacity water retraction pumps that can be deployed as needed. Additionally, each ward of the BMC has access to four trucks and heavy machinery that can be utilized during crises. The emergency response team comprises officials from various agencies, including the public works department, MPSEB, and BMC.
In the latest count conducted by the BMC, approximately 450 buildings were identified as dilapidated. However, demolishing these structures is not a straightforward solution, as many of them are currently entangled in litigation, as confirmed by BMC officials. If the census were taken into account, the number of hazardous dwellings would likely be much higher.
The risk factor is also significant. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, urban areas experience flood peaks 1.8 to 8 times higher and flood volumes up to 6 times greater. This vulnerability was evident in 2016, 2018, and again in 2022 when heavy rainfall inundated low-lying areas within a short period.
To address the imminent threat, the civic body has compiled a list of emergency support helpline numbers and devised a detailed 24x7 emergency plan. Every year, a survey of dilapidated housing is conducted. However, BMC officials acknowledge that if the risk to the public is deemed severe, litigation will not hinder the demolition of old buildings. Despite the inherent dangers, the BMC has shown hesitancy in taking action against these precarious structures, despite numerous incidents reported in the past.
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