Surat Races to Demolish Unsafe Buildings Amid Early Rain Threat
With unseasonal rains already lashing Surat and the monsoon fast approaching, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has intensified efforts to address the pressing issue of over 1,500 structurally unsafe buildings scattered across the city.
According to official data, 1,563 properties have been identified for urgent repairs, while 91 structures have been declared dangerously dilapidated. The city’s administration has issued notices to property owners instructing them to either reinforce or demolish these buildings to avert disaster during the monsoon. The Limbayat zone, known for its aging infrastructure and vulnerability to flooding, remains a key focus of the crackdown. In a recent case in Kumbhariya village, a dangerous residential building was voluntarily razed following consultations between officials and residents. In Dindoli’s Jalaram Nagar, municipal workers dismantled a precarious balcony as a precaution. Officials said more demolitions are expected in the coming weeks as they race against worsening weather conditions. These interventions are part of the city’s broader disaster mitigation plan, especially critical in a flood-prone region like Surat.
The situation in other parts of Gujarat is similarly precarious. Vadodara has identified 1,012 buildings in poor structural condition, particularly in the Char Darwaja locality. Despite rising public concern, municipal intervention remains limited, leaving residents exposed to potential building collapses. In Ahmedabad, attention has turned to government-built housing under the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Scheme. Nearly half of the 18,928 units built for Economically Weaker Sections have developed structural flaws. In Vatva, 1,664 unoccupied and unsafe homes were recently demolished, raising concerns about long-term safety and planning. Rural Gujarat is also under pressure, with data showing 2,433 gram panchayats either lacking proper buildings or relying on structures deemed unsafe.
As rain continues to hit the region ahead of schedule, urban and rural administrations are under mounting pressure to act swiftly and decisively to avoid tragedies. The SMC’s current drive highlights the urgency of structural audits and the need for sustained infrastructure investment in the face of climate unpredictability.
