Gujarat: Kapadvanj issues 20 demolition notices amid crackdown on unsafe buildings

IANS June 19, 2025 275 views

Kapadvanj Municipality has issued demolition notices for 20 unsafe buildings as monsoon rains approach. Officials warn of legal action if negligence leads to collapses, with some notices sent to tenants instead of absentee landlords. The crackdown follows a fatal building collapse last year that angered residents. Across Gujarat, cities like Ahmedabad and Surat are also targeting dilapidated structures to prevent monsoon tragedies.

"If any incident occurs due to your negligence, criminal action will be taken under relevant laws." – Kapadvanj Municipality
Kapadvanj: , June 19 (IANS) As heavy monsoon rains loom over Gujarat, the Kapadvanj Municipality in Kheda district has issued demolition notices to more than 20 property owners, targeting dilapidated and structurally unsafe buildings that pose a serious threat to public safety.

Key Points

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Municipality targets unsafe buildings before monsoon

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Notices issued to tenants if landlords are absent

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Last year’s fatal collapse sparked public outrage

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Gujarat-wide crackdown on dilapidated structures

The move comes as the monsoon advances and fears of building collapses grow.

The municipality’s Chief Officer warned that if the identified structures are not taken down promptly, property owners will be held legally accountable for any loss of life or injuries caused by potential collapses.

“If any incident occurs due to your negligence, criminal action will be taken under relevant laws,” the notice warns, placing full responsibility on the owners.

In several cases, notices were issued to tenants instead of absentee landlords, particularly where owners have been living outside the town for years.

Officials admitted they had not received responses from such property owners and had proceeded by alerting current occupants. The urgency stems from a tragic incident last year, where a minor pedestrian died after a crumbling building collapsed in Kapadvanj.

The accident sparked outrage among residents, who blamed both negligent landlords and municipal inaction.

As the monsoon advances across Gujarat, several municipalities across the state have begun issuing urgent demolition and evacuation notices to owners of dilapidated and structurally unsafe buildings, aiming to prevent potential casualties due to building collapses.

In cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, and smaller towns such as Kapadvanj, Mehsana, and Bhavnagar, civic bodies have launched inspections and surveys of old constructions, many of which are over 40 to 50 years old and are in visibly poor condition.

The Urban Development Department has directed all municipalities and nagarpalikas to identify high-risk properties and act without delay.

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has identified 513 residential units in central and northern zones as "dangerous" ahead of the upcoming Rath Yatra (June 27). These properties have been ordered evacuated or marked with warning notices; water and sewer services have been cut in 190 units for non-compliance. An additional 1,308 units have received formal notices for structural repairs.

In Surat, the municipal corporation has issued notices to owners of over 1,500 dilapidated buildings in the Limbayat area, urging urgent repairs or demolition. The move is part of monsoon preparedness to avert tragic collapses.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul P.
Finally some action! Every monsoon we hear about building collapses and lives lost. Why wait for tragedies to happen? Municipalities across Gujarat should have done this years ago. Better late than never though 👍
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Priya M.
What about the poor tenants who get these notices when the actual owners live abroad? The system needs to track down the real owners instead of making occupants suffer. Many families live in these buildings because they have no other option.
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Amit K.
Good initiative but implementation is key. In my area of Ahmedabad, dangerous buildings have warning notices for years but nothing happens. Municipal staff need to follow up strictly, not just put up papers.
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Sunita R.
After last year's tragedy, this was much needed. But authorities should also help with rehabilitation - where will these families go during monsoon? Government should provide temporary shelters. Safety first, but humanity too!
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Vijay D.
Why only before monsoon? Building safety should be year-round priority. Many old structures in Gujarat cities need proper audits. We need permanent solutions, not just seasonal actions when media attention is high.
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Neha T.
As someone from Kapadvanj, I appreciate this move but request authorities to be more transparent. Which buildings are unsafe? Where are the lists? Public awareness can help prevent accidents too. #SafetyFirst

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Kapadvanj Gujarat monsoon building collapse demolition notices urban safety