Bhopal: Hundreds Still At Risk In City’s Crumbling Buildings

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The death of a 32-year-old man in TT Nagar has forced the administration into action, but the threat from Bhopal’s crumbling buildings continues to loom over hundreds of families living in risky conditions across the city.

According to police officials, the deceased, Amit Kumar (32), lost his life after a portion of an old government house collapsed on Wednesday. The building had been declared unsafe nearly a decade ago and was officially evacuated. However, around 200 families had illegally returned and continued living there.

Following the incident, the district administration began removing illegal occupants and started demolishing dangerous structures with bulldozers on Thursday.

Jagdish Yadav, councillor of ward 25, told media persons that the area behind the Old MLA quarters, where the incident occurred, has been deserted for years and is often misused for illegal activities.

“Despite eviction orders, many families are still occupying these buildings and even subletting them. Strict action must be taken,” he said, adding that the SDM has been informed.

Similar conditions persist in other parts of the city. In Aishbagh, over 600 dilapidated houses in the Janata Quarters have been under demolition orders, but repeated protests have delayed action. These homes, built over 50 years ago by the Housing Board, are now severely damaged, with frequent reports of collapsing walls and falling roof visors.

In Karond, around 200 Housing Board quarters remain in a dangerous state. Residents claim that while they manage internal repairs, the outer structures continue to weaken. Taslima B, a resident, said some even attempt external repairs, but the absence of ground-level support poses a risk of collapse.

Over 1,200 unsafe structures across city

Despite annual notices from the Bhopal Municipal Corporation urging residents to vacate these homes before monsoon, more than 3,000 people — most below the poverty line — continue to live in about 1,200 such unsafe structures across Bhopal.

Demolition, eviction underway

TT Nagar SDM Archana Sharma said that coordination with the Estate Department is underway. "The building involved in recent death has been demolished. Demolition of other dangerous buildings has started, and illegal occupancies are being removed," she said.

Risking life for 15 pet dogs

A resident living in the adjacent building to the collapsed house claimed that although he owns another house in Shivaji Nagar, he is risking his life by living here because he has over a dozen pet dogs and cannot leave them behind.

Nishatpura death

In August 2023, a one-year-old child was killed when a chunk of plaster fell from the ceiling of a dilapidated house in the Nishatpura area.

Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025, 12:32 PM IST