Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi chaired a crucial meeting on Wednesday to address the threat posed by dilapidated buildings across the city ahead of the monsoon season. The meeting included officers from the Sindh Buildings Control Authority (SBCA), district administration, and the culture department.
Survey Reveals 584 Dangerous Buildings
The SBCA briefed the commissioner on the current state of dangerous buildings in Karachi. According to a survey conducted by the authority, there are 584 dangerous buildings in the city, out of which 59 are classified as extremely dilapidated and dangerous. Among these, 29 are historical buildings. Commissioner Naqvi emphasized that priority measures are needed to vacate these extremely dilapidated structures, including historical ones, to protect the lives of residents.
It was noted that more than 90 percent of the 29 historical buildings are located in the South District. The SBCA provided a district-wise breakdown: 442 buildings in the South District, 73 in the Central District, 16 in the East District, 18 in the Korangi District, 28 in the Keamari District, 5 in the Malir District, and 2 in the West District.
Immediate Actions Decided
The meeting decided that the SBCA should immediately provide the list of highly dilapidated buildings requiring urgent vacating to the Deputy Commissioners. Priority steps will be taken in collaboration with the district administration to vacate these buildings. Depending on the nature of the buildings, action will be taken to demolish them.
Before demolition, the SBCA will advertise the list of dilapidated buildings through all means of publicity to inform citizens and residents. The authority will also issue immediate notices to vacate the identified buildings. In case of non-compliance, the meeting decided to disconnect gas, electricity, and water connections to these buildings with the cooperation of concerned utility institutions.
Rehabilitation Plans for Affected Residents
The meeting also addressed the need for temporary accommodation or rehabilitation of affected residents. Priority measures will be taken to ensure that those displaced by the vacating orders are provided with alternative arrangements.
Attendees included Additional Director General of SBCA Ali Ghufran, Director General of Culture Department Abdul Fattah, and various Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners. The coordinated effort aims to prevent casualties during the monsoon season, which often leads to building collapses in Karachi.
