KARACHI, Aug 30: No steps have been taken yet to vacate the 161 buildings declared dangerous by the technical committee of Karachi Building Control Authority. These dilapidated buildings might cause a major disaster any time as thousands of people are still living in them.

Despite precautionary warnings by KBCA, neither the city government nor any other authority seem to be effectively tackling such a serious matter.

The majority of these buildings are in Saddar, where 132 dilapidated and shabby buildings are still being used for residential purposes. Besides, Jamshed Town has 13 decaying buildings, Lyari has 11, Keamari has five and Shah Faisal town one.

The report of technical committee, issued in beginning of July, warned the residents of such buildings that they could meet with any mishap at any time due to derelict conditions of their buildings, therefore, these building should be immediately vacated.

Rehan Muhammad Siddiqi, Additional Secretary to City Nazim, when contacted informed that city government's role was to consider the recommendations of the KBCA.

“If KBCA tabled any recommendation to provide alternative residence to people living in the dilapidated buildings the city government will definitely consider it,” he added.

Quoting example of Lyari Expressway Resettlement Scheme, Mr Siddiqi said those who were affected due to construction of Lyari Expressway were provided alternate places for residence, adding: “This rule can also be applied to occupants of these worn-out buildings”.

KBCA officials, when contacted, claimed that they had already warned residents of these buildings to immediately vacate these structures “but they were continually ignoring these warnings”.—PPI