Rawalpindi orders evacuation of dilapidated buildings

The Rawalpindi Metropolitan Corporation (RMC) conducted a survey in the district to assess whether residential and commercial buildings could withstand the monsoon season and declared 86 structures dangerous.

The cantonment board also carried out a survey to identify buildings that either need reconstruction or demolition before the onset of the monsoon.

The RMC survey found 66 residential and 22 commercial buildings to be dangerous for living and business. 90 per cent of the buildings were constructed before partition.

In some of these buildings, more than two dozen families are living. The administration has issued notices to the owners of these buildings.

As per the notice, the residents have been informed that the damaged buildings have to be evacuated as they could topple over during the monsoon and endanger life and valuables.

Those who fail to comply with the notice and evacuate will face legal action under the Local Government Act.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board surveyed buildings and commercial structures located near the rain and stormwater drains. The survey reviewed the state of buildings including those requiring renovation or repair as well as those that might need to be demolished.

According to the cantonment’s executive officer, the survey will be completed in the next couple of days after which notices would be issued under Section 126 of the Cantonment Act 1924.

They said that notices would be sent to the owners of the buildings that require evacuation or demolition. This instruction would also be for owners of buildings which are situated near Nullah Leh or other rain drains.

The owners would be required to notify the cantonment board before commencing reconstruction work at these structures.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2023.