GCC Issues Guidelines to Act Against Dilapidated Buildings Ahead of Monsoon

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has issued detailed guidelines to identify and take swift action against dilapidated and unsafe buildings across the city ahead of the monsoon. The guidelines aim to ensure the safety of occupants, pedestrians and neighbouring properties.

GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran has directed civic officials to identify buildings that pose a potential safety risk and take appropriate action without delay.

Officials to Identify Unsafe Buildings

Under the new guidelines, divisional Assistant Engineers (AEs) and Junior Engineers (JEs) will identify unsafe buildings during site inspections. They will alert the concerned Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) and Zonal Executive Engineers (EEs) about structures that require further assessment.

A joint team comprising the AE, AEE and EE will then inspect the building and assess its age, structural condition and overall safety.

Expert Assessment for Structural Stability

If the structural stability of a building remains uncertain, the case will be referred to the Public Works Department (PWD), Anna University or IIT Madras for a formal safety assessment.

Officials have also been instructed to check whether any litigation is pending between property owners and tenants and to strictly follow any existing court orders before taking action.

Notices for Repairs or Demolition

Based on expert recommendations, Regional Joint Commissioners or Deputy Commissioners will issue notices to property owners, directing them to carry out the required repairs within a specified time frame.

If an expert assessment recommends demolition, a formal notice will be served on the property owner, with a copy provided to the tenants, under Section 258 of the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act.

If the owner fails to comply with the notice, the Greater Chennai Corporation will carry out the demolition and recover the cost from the property owner.

Police Assistance for Evacuation

The guidelines also state that people who refuse to vacate a building declared dangerous will be evicted with police assistance. This measure is intended to prevent accidents and protect lives during the monsoon.

The latest Chennai Corporation guidelines on dilapidated buildings are aimed at strengthening building safety measures and ensuring that potentially dangerous structures are identified and addressed before they pose a serious threat to the public.