The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) continues its operation to vacate and seal extremely dilapidated and dangerous buildings. Acting on the directives of SBCA Director General Shahmeer Bhutto, the Authority’s Technical Committee for Dangerous Buildings comprising expert structural engineers is conducting a continuous survey across the city.
According to reports submitted by the Committee concerning District South, a total of 59 buildings, including 10 structures listed as national heritage, have been declared extremely hazardous. These buildings are located in the old city areas of Aram Bagh, Lawrence Quarters, Napier Quarters, Saddar Bazaar, Tila Ram Quarters, and Old Town. To safeguard precious human lives, 41 buildings in this category have already been immediately vacated and sealed in the first phase. The process of evacuating the remaining buildings with the assistance of the local administration is ongoing. In the next phase, progress will be made toward demolition procedures for these structures.
In this regard, SBCA has appealed to the public on humanitarian grounds to report any buildings in densely populated areas of Karachi that appear structurally unsound, internally or externally damaged, or with visible construction defects. Citizens can register such reports at any time via the SBCA online portal. Additionally, in light of the expected monsoon rains, a Rain Emergency Center has been established at SBCA, staffed with technical personnel available 24/7 throughout the week. Citizens may contact the center via phone at 99232355 or 99230393, or through the SBCA website at [www.sbca.gos.pk] (http://www.sbca.gos.pk).