Pune Cantonment Board issues public notice on unsafe structures, warns of grave risk that dilapidated buildings can pose to passersby

“The ruinous state of the building can even cause a nuisance or danger to persons passing by or working in the neighbourhood,” the notice states, directing owners to remove the dangerous parts and /or the building to safeguard the life and liberty of persons passing by or occupying the property.

According to Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) officials, there are close to 100 such old buildings in the area, including on Dastur Meher Road, Bhimpura Lane, M G Road and Old Modikhana and Jan Mohammed Street. Time and again, eviction notices have been issued by the board as most of the buildings have been constructed decades ago and are unsafe.

“However, due to long pending disputes between landlords and tenants, many do not vacate the properties,” said an official.

In an unfortunate incident a year ago , the slab on the ceiling of a two-storey home at Dastur Meher Road, Pune Camp, fell on Stanley D’ Souza, who was in Pune for a brief holiday. He was visiting his brother at their old home and succumbed to severe injuries due to the slab collapse.

PCB officials said that a year on, the matter continues to be fought in the court as the ‘holder of occupancy rights (HOR)’ refuses to permit the tenant to carry out minor repairs. Notices have been sent to owners informing them that the structure was dangerous and unfit for habitation.

According to the Cantonment Act, the owner can undertake repairs, but officials pointed out that only very few do it. Officials also said in the past, they informed the Cantonment and Wanowrie police stations about the grave risk that these dangerous structures pose and issued notices to owners.