Puri: The Puri district administration has identified 36 dilapidated, deserted and abandoned buildings in the city and permanently sealed 27 of them, with plans to demolish the unsafe structures soon, Collector Dibyajyoti Parida said on Wednesday.
The action comes amid concerns over the safety of ageing structures following recent incidents of building collapses in Delhi and other parts of the country.
Parida said the administration had also launched a drive to detect deviations from approved building plans in apartment and hotel buildings. Owners of structures with minor deviations have been asked to carry out necessary repairs and take corrective measures.
The 36 structures identified by the administration include the old Cooperative Society building, two deserted hotel buildings and another abandoned structure, all found to be in a severely dilapidated condition, the Collector said.
Besides, 47 dilapidated structures have been identified along the Grand Road (Bada Danda), including 21 hotels that have been partially affected.
The administration has permanently sealed 27 buildings and they are likely to be demolished soon, Parida said.
Among the structures facing complete demolition are the century-old Annapurna Theatre Hall and the 105-year-old Puri Seva Samiti building, both among the city’s oldest buildings.
Parida said owners of buildings where deviations from sanctioned plans were detected had been directed to undertake repairs and comply with corrective measures.
However, buildings constructed without any approved plan would face strict action, he added.
