KOLKATA: The Kamarhati Municipality authorities on Tuesday issued an express order for the immediate demolition of around 57 unauthorized multi-storey buildings in the Belgharia-Kamarhati area. FIRs were lodged at Belgharia and Kamarhati police stations against owners and promoters of 17 illegal buildings.
The order follows the detection of several tilted buildings in Belgharia, Baranagar, and Kamarhati.
According to a municipal official, a day after a tilting building in Baghajatin almost collapsed, an under-construction five-storey structure at Dhobia Bagan in Belgharia was detected to be leaning towards an adjoining structure, prompting immediate action by the Kamarhati civic body. Complaints about unsafe and illegal constructions in Belgharia and Kamarhati followed, leading to an inspection of areas in Sasthitala, MacKenzie Road, Prafulla Nagar, Ariadaha, Sahid Colony and Deshpriya Nagar.
Kamarhati Municipality chairman Gopal Saha confirmed that notices were issued to identify illegal constructions and demolition of 57 structures. “FIRs are lodged against owners of 17 of the illegal buildings. The municipality also began demolishing an illegal high-rise in Dhobia Bagan,” Saha told TOI.
He added the owners, against whom FIRs had been registered, had been warned and summoned thrice but to no avail. “These structures were built without approved plans or proper authorization. As they pose a safety hazard, their demolition was ordered,” he said.
A senior buildings department official added the demolition orders were issued only for extreme cases, to protect public safety. “Before the demolition, we are having discussions with residents to ensure smooth evacuation. We have sought police help,” he said. Residents of the affected buildings demanded proper rehabilitation before eviction.
“The authorities should have acted earlier against the promoters when they built the structures illegally,” said Tamal Chakraborty, a Sasthitala resident. “We have been living here for six years, having spent our life savings to buy these flats. We will not leave unless the officials arrange proper rehabilitation,” said Suranjana Bose, another resident.
