Asif Shaikh
After building collapse in Golimar resulting in death of at least 27 people, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, district administration and Sindh Building Control Authority have awaken and on Monday an operation to demolish illegal buildings was started in city. Tthe KMC, district administration and SBCA squads demolished illegal structures in in Malir, Liaquatabad and Garden East areas of the city. In Malir, a five-storey illegal structure that was built on 80 square yards was demolished. It was constructed just opposite the Malir deputy commissioner’s office. Bashir Siddiqui, the Senior Director at KMC anti-encroachment department, told Pakistan Observer that the building was made without an approved building plan. “There is a restaurant by the name of Sarhad Hussaini Hotel on the ground and first floor of the building,” Siddiqui said. The other three floors were under construction. The KMC senior officer said that the building was tilted towards the left because of the weight of additional floors. He said that the demolition work has started and it will take a week to finish. Another five-storey building made on just 40 square yards was demolished in Liaquatabad No 3. In Garden, the demolition teams have started to raze a six-storey building erected on a 60 square-yard plot. Any residential plot between 60 and 399 square yards with construction of more than two floors falls into the category of “illegal construction”. It is to mention that SBCA has decided to vacate and immediately demolish the most dangerous buildings after collapse of residential building in Rizvia Society Gulbahar area. Major action against illegal construction in the area has also been decided upon. The SBCA has decided to conduct surveys in Gulbahar to identify the buildings which have to be demolished. The buildings identified as decrepit will be marked and authorities will be asked for their evacuation. Authorities say that measures will be suggested for buildings that can be possibly repaired and improved; there are concerns about the presence of several decrepit buildings in the Gulbahar area, which threaten the lives of citizens.
