Public Safety / Odisha to Demolish Unsafe Buildings for Public Safety

Bhubaneswar, Sep 7: The Odisha government has announced a statewide initiative to identify and demolish unsafe buildings that pose a threat to public safety.

Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra stated that old and structurally weak houses across cities and towns will be inspected, and those deemed hazardous will be prioritized for demolition.

Many buildings in urban and semi‑urban areas continue to be in use despite being decades old. With weakened roofs, walls, and foundations, these structures are vulnerable to collapse during heavy rains, cyclones, or other natural disasters.

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Officials warn that such buildings endanger both lives and property. As part of the new directive, local administrations and relevant departments will prepare lists of unsafe structures based on age, construction quality, structural strength, and the level of public activity around them.

Following inspections, buildings classified as extremely unsafe will be demolished, while those that can be repaired will undergo strengthening and renovation.

“Where repair is possible, necessary reinforcement will be carried out. But in cases where structures are beyond saving, demolition will be the only option,” Mahapatra said.

The primary aim of the initiative is to prevent accidents caused by collapsing buildings in densely populated areas. Authorities believe that removing unsafe structures will significantly reduce risks and enhance public safety.

Coordination between building owners, local bodies, and the administration will be crucial to ensure smooth implementation. Residents of identified unsafe buildings will be relocated to safer areas before demolition begins.

Officials also noted that the campaign will bring long‑neglected and unused buildings under scrutiny. By addressing structural hazards now, the government hopes to avoid future tragedies.