The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has formed a special committee to demolish 103 risky buildings identified by the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) in an effort to reduce potential earthquake-related casualties and damage in the city.
The decision was taken on Monday at a meeting held at the CCC head office in Tigerpass, where officials outlined measures for demolishing vulnerable structures, identifying additional high-risk buildings, raising public awareness and strengthening emergency response capacity.
A five-member committee has been formed with the CCC’s legal officer as convener to oversee the removal of the 103 buildings and identify further structures that pose risk.
The CCC’s special magistrate will serve as member secretary, while the respective regional executive officer, an executive engineer and an executive magistrate have been included as members.
The committee has been tasked with taking swift legal action to carry out the demolition work.
CCC Acting Chief Executive Officer and Secretary Ashraful Amin said at the meeting that ensuring public safety is the corporation’s top priority. He said the CCC is giving highest importance to both the demolition of hazardous buildings and improving its capacity to respond quickly during emergencies.
The meeting was attended by Chief Engineer Anisur Rahman, Legal Officer Mohiuddin Murad, Special Magistrate Md Soeb Uddin Khan, regional executive officers, executive magistrates and other officials and engineers.
Speakers at the meeting said that although earthquakes cannot be prevented, losses can be significantly reduced with preparedness.
To raise awareness among residents, the corporation plans to issue public notices, conduct ward-level loudspeaker announcements, distribute leaflets, hold awareness meetings and form volunteer groups.
