Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has taken a stern view of the recent collapse of balcony of an apartment at Manisahu Chhak that claimed three lives, and has questioned the Cuttack administration over the status of unsafe buildings across the city.
Appearing before the court, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Cuttack submitted that 221 buildings have been identified as unsafe, of which 219 are government-owned structures. The Works Department, he informed, has already been instructed to carry out demolitions.
Unsatisfied with the general response, the High Court directed the district administration to provide specific timelines for demolition and related action during the next hearing. The court also raised concerns over why structurally weak buildings continue to remain standing despite posing risks to public safety.
The matter stems from the 9 November tragedy at Manisahu Chhak, where the balcony of a dilapidated building collapsed on house with an asbestos roof resulting in the death of three people, triggering widespread public outrage and demands for stricter enforcement of safety norms.
The court has reiterated that such incidents underscore the urgent need for timely identification, evacuation, and demolition of unsafe structures to prevent further loss of life.
