Slab falls in PMC colony

PUNE: Following the two cases of wall collapse in the city that killed 21 people in the last two weeks, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has begun taking action against dilapidated private structures to avoid repeats of such unfortunate incidents. However, the civic body seems to have ignored its own staff quarters. The issue was highlighted on Monday after a portion of a slab collapsed at Ambil Odha PMC staff quarters near Dandekar Bridge. Fortunately, no one was injured in this incident. 

According to Bhavan Department of the civic body, there are total 26 colonies of staff quarters spread across the city. Out of total 26 colonies, the civic body found that four colonies are in a dangerous condition. The PMC has earlier decided to develop dilapidated colonies under Build Operate Transfer (BoT) basis. The department has already issued notices to tenants to vacate place and decided to rehabilitate them in transit camps. However, the tenants have refused to do so and are staying put in the dangerous buildings.   

Superintendent Engineer of Bhavan department Shivaji Lanke said, “The PMC has issued notices to the residents of a building at Ambil Odha PMC Colony, which is in a dangerous state. A total of 24 people are living there who have refused to shift from this building. They are demanding for flat ownership after development of building. However, the PMC does not have such a policy. A similar condition is observed in Wakdewadi PMC employee quarters. It three buildings in dangerous condition whose occupants are also not willing to shift to transit camps. They are also demanding ownership of their quarters.”

Another official of Chawl department said, “Municipal Commissioner Saurbah Rao conducted a meeting after Ambil Odha slab incident, he has issued instructions to vacate dilapidated employee quarters. If tenants continue to resist, police protection has been provided. We have also made arrangements of some flats in Katraj area to shift to Ambil Odha tenants.”

STAFF QUARTERS IN CITY AREAS
The total number of quarters is 3,400 and maximum number of rooms are allotted to class 4 employees. Most civic employees continue to live in quarters even after their retirement from the service. There is a waiting list of almost 3,500 class 4 employees seeking rooms. The PMC charges rent of Rs 24 (Rs 14 as rent and Rs 10 water tax ) per month from tenants. Some of the tenants have even rented out their quarters.  

Staff quarters are located in different parts of the city such as Burud Chawl, Kasewadi Colony, Managalwar Peth Colony-2, Bibvewadi Colony, Akshay Garden, Dhankawadi (Panchwati), Bibvewadi Otta, Sambhaji Nagar, Pandav Nagar health camp, Vadarwadi, Hirvi Chawl, Lala Chawl, Vadarwadi, Ganj Peth, Sane Guruji Vasahat, Kasba Peth, Rajewadi, Medi Point, Ghorpadi Peth, Rajendra Nagar, Supriya Building, Kothrud, Parth Building, SRA Rajewadi.

ISSUE WAS RAISED
The issue was highlighted on Monday after a portion of a slab collapsed at Ambil Odha PMC staff quarters near Dandekar Bridge.