An old and dilapidated building at Baropathar near Buxi Bazar in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, July 9: The roads and buildings division of the public works department has identified 233 dilapidated government buildings in the city.

Of the total old structures, 196 are residential buildings of various government departments, while 37 are non-residential buildings that remain unsafe.

According to the preliminary structural assessment, eight non-residential buildings have been identified and proposed for demolition. The assessment was done following the district administration’s order after an earthquake hit Odisha on May 21.

“We have submitted our report to the city working committee for necessary action,” said S.N. Mishra, assistant executive engineer of the roads and buildings division.

A survey on various private buildings’ status will also be conducted shortly — that was decided at the second meeting of the city working committee held yesterday.

The expert committee, led by the Cuttack Development Authority vice-chairman and engineers of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, will conduct the assessment of private buildings, apartments and high-rise buildings within the corporation limits.

Vice-chairman of the development authority Pratap Das said: “The survey will be undertaken between July 14 and July 31.” The councillors have also been asked to assist the experts’ team in the assessment, while ward wise committee has also been formed.

A civic body official said it was for the first time that a safety assessment survey on private buildings and structures would be undertaken in the city.

Besides, officials of the roads and buildings division (Charbatia) and the rural development have been asked to submit a report on the condition of buildings in various rural pockets in the district.

As Cuttack comes under the seismic zone III and II, the city working committee was formed according to the direction of the Odisha disaster management authority.

The main objective is to prepare a comprehensive plan to minimise the loss of human life and property in cases of various calamities.

Councillor Ranjan Biswal said that after completion of the assessment, necessary steps would be taken for the demolition after issuing prior notices to the occupants.