Silent bombs will raze standing flats

Two years ago the Patels thought it was literally a dream come true when they bought two apartments at Swapna Saakar Complex in Vasna, Ahmedabad. They were also lucky that the complex did not collapse in the deadly earthquake of January 26.

Now however, the Patels have to wash their hands off their home. Their house is one of 22 buildings which will be demolished by the authorities using imported silent bombs. “This was our lifetime investment,” Mukesh Patel says.

At least 880 families who have been lucky not to have their houses collapse in the earthquake will have to wash their hands off their homes because at least 22 multi-storey buildings in Ahmedabad have been certified as “dangerous for living” by the state government and civic authorities.

Ironically, most of these buildings were built less than five years ago. According to a conservative estimate, at least 880 families are likely to be directly affected by this decision which, of course, has been taken keeping the safety of the residents in mind.

These buildings, most of them in Paldi, Vasna and Naranpura areas of Ahmedabad, house upper middle-class people. “We are still working out details and the agencies from whom we will seek support for this operation, but it is certain that these buildings could prove to be a serious threat in the coming days,” a top government official told The Asian Age on Tuesday.

The official said the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has identified 18 buildings for demolition and the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority has identified four. All these buildings are 10-storey residential complexes. About six of them have shopping complexes in their basements.

Notices have been served to these housing complexes. Big blackboards, put up outside these societies, say these places are dangerous and the residents should stay off till further notice.

“These buildings have not collapsed but they have developed serious cracks and other structural problems, which make them prone to even very minor tremors,” an Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority official said.

Ahmedabad mayor Himmatsingh Patel confirmed that the AMC would demolish 18 buildings and that Auda would demolish four. “We are working out the modalities.

Of course, we will give adequate time and security to residents to help them evacuate their belongings,” the mayor said, adding, “If these buildings are not destroyed, they are likely to crash, causing severe loss of life and property.”

A team of engineers from the Central Building Research Association has also confirmed that these buildings pose a serious threat.

The buildings that will be demolished using silent bombs include Shivalaya Apartments, Rajvi and Aum near Sardar Patel Colony, National Flats, Shital Baug, Shreefal, Apollo, Arihant, Vrindavan, Swapna Saakar and Riddhi Sheela in the Paldi and Vasna areas.

Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel said 175 high-rise buildings in Ahmedabad vacated by worried residents after they developed cracks have been certified as “safe for habitation” by a Central team. The team, however, has suggested some structural changes and necessary repairs.

Republished from Asian age