Rs. 1 lakh ex gratia to kin of wall collapse victims

The GHMC Commissioner M.T. Krishna Babu has announced Rs. 1 lakh as ex gratia to the families of the victims of wall collapse incidents on Saturday. The amount will be paid from the Mayor’s discretionary funds, he said.

Emergency calls

The GHMC control rooms have received a total of 120 emergency calls on Saturday while central emergency has received messages of three incidents of wall collapse. Fifty-six extra vehicles with generators, dewatering pumps and other necessary equipment have been deployed, and 589 additional workers have been deputed to various parts of the city to attend to monsoon emergencies and relief work, he said at a review meeting held on Saturday to assess the emergency situation arising out of heavy downpour.

A total of 78 areas were inundated in the city and water receded from several areas. At 180 millimetres, this is the second highest rainfall in the city after the 240 millimetres recorded in the year 2000, he added.

The Commissioner disclosed that GHMC has deputed senior officials in the cadre of Additional Commissioners and City Planners for each circle office to coordinate with the respective Deputy Commissioner and Zonal Commissioner whenever alarm-one is triggered. It is also decided that one fire officer will be present at each control room.

People cautioned

Attributing the wall collapse incidents to construction without any foundation, the Commissioner has appealed to the public to be more cautious while residing beside such constructions.

Informing about 196 more buildings recently identified as dilapidated, he said in case they are not vacated voluntarily, GHMC will demolish them and collect the cost from the building owners. GHMC has already demolished 28 buildings in last 15 days, he said.

Joint Commissioner Sridhar has informed that nearly 30 families, whose houses are in hazardous locations, have been shifted from Bhojiguda and Golkonda areas to the nearby relief centres. He also informed that Revenue Departments has given rice and rice coupons to nearly 2,000 families whose houses were inundated. A total of 4500 people have been screened in the medical camps. He also informed that they have set up a control room in each MRO Office and in Collectorate.