THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
The Odisha government
has stepped up its drive against unsafe and dilapidated buildings across the
state, with Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra
Mahapatra directing officials to expedite inspections and initiate demolition proceedings
wherever structures are found to pose a serious threat to life and property.
The government has
also constituted a 15-day inquiry and inspection team to undertake a
comprehensive assessment of buildings suspected to be unsafe and submit its findings
within the stipulated period, the minister said on Tuesday.
Dr Mahapatra said the
government had already assessed unsafe government buildings and issued notices
wherever necessary, but a fresh review of the situation was undertaken to
ensure that no potentially dangerous structure remained unattended.
“Based on the assessment, all government
buildings identified as unsafe have been examined and notices have also been
issued. I had called for another review with the Department yesterday. Very
soon, notices will be issued for demolition of those buildings which have been
found unsafe,” he said.
The minister said the
government would take firm action against unsafe structures falling under its
jurisdiction. Buildings under the Housing and Urban Development Department
would be dealt with directly by the department, while structures belonging to other
government departments would be brought to the notice of the respective
authorities for necessary action.
“Whichever unsafe buildings fall under our
Department, we will take action. If they belong to other departments, we will
coordinate with them and inform them so that necessary action can be taken,” Dr
Mahapatra said.
In a significant
expansion of the safety drive, the government has decided to bring unsafe
private buildings within the scope of the ongoing assessment. Notices will be
served on owners of private buildings found to be dangerous or structurally
vulnerable in accordance with applicable rules and statutory provisions.
The 15-day inquiry
team will conduct detailed inspections of buildings identified as potentially
unsafe, assess their structural condition and submit its findings within the
prescribed timeframe. Based on the report, the authorities will initiate
appropriate action, including demolition wherever warranted.
“The inquiry team will conduct a thorough
inquiry and investigation into the matter. After inspection, whichever
buildings are found to fall under the unsafe category will be demolished,” the
minister said.
The initiative
assumes particular significance in urban centres such as Cuttack and Puri,
where several old and privately owned structures require closer scrutiny. Urban
Local Bodies and other concerned authorities will inspect such buildings and
identify structures that could pose risks to residents, pedestrians and the
general public.
Officials have been
directed to ensure that the exercise remains preventive and safety-oriented,
with the focus on detecting structural vulnerabilities before they result in
accidents, injuries or loss of life and property. Buildings found to be beyond
safe occupation or repair will face action under the applicable legal
provisions.
The Housing and Urban
Development Department will coordinate with Urban Local Bodies and other
government departments to ensure that notices, inspections and subsequent
action are carried out in a systematic and time-bound manner.
The government has
reiterated that public safety remains its foremost priority and that structures
posing a threat to human life will not be allowed to remain unattended. Through
coordinated inspections, statutory action and timely removal of dangerous
structures, the state aims to strengthen urban safety and create safer living
and public spaces across Odisha.
