The Odisha Government has intensified its efforts to protect citizens from unsafe and structurally vulnerable buildings across urban areas. The Housing and Urban Development Department has launched a 15-day inspection and assessment drive to identify buildings that may pose a threat to public safety and property.

The campaign covers both government and private buildings. Inspection teams will conduct detailed assessments of suspected unsafe structures and evaluate their structural condition and safety. Reports will be submitted within the stipulated timeframe, following which necessary legal action will be taken.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said dangerous government buildings had already been assessed and notices had been issued wherever required. He said another review meeting was held with the department recently to expedite further action.

According to the Minister, buildings found to be critically unsafe will face action under the existing laws and regulations. Where necessary, such structures may be demolished to prevent accidents and protect lives.

The department will also coordinate with other government departments regarding unsafe buildings under their jurisdiction. The concerned authorities will be informed and asked to take appropriate action.

Private buildings have also been brought under the scope of the campaign. Structures found to be dangerous or severely weakened will be inspected, and owners may be served notices if violations or safety concerns are established.

The inspection drive is expected to be particularly significant in older cities such as Cuttack and Puri, where several ageing and structurally weak buildings have remained in use for years. Urban local bodies and other authorities will assist the inspection teams.

The government said the initiative is primarily preventive, aimed at identifying risks before accidents occur. The department will coordinate with urban local bodies to ensure inspections, notices and legal action are completed within the prescribed timeframe.

The government reiterated that public safety remains a top priority and that unsafe structures posing a threat to citizens will not be ignored.

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The Odisha government has decided to identify all dangerously dilapidated buildings across the state and take steps to demolish structures that pose a threat to public safety. The move is aimed at preventing accidents and protecting lives and property, particularly in urban areas.

Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said old and structurally weak buildings across different cities and urban areas will be inspected. Buildings that pose an immediate risk to people’s lives will be identified on a priority basis and action will be taken to remove them.

Several old buildings are still in use across Odisha. Over time, the roofs, walls and other structural components of some of these buildings have weakened considerably. Such structures can become particularly dangerous during heavy rain, cyclones and other natural disasters, increasing the risk of collapse and accidents.

As part of the proposed exercise, the concerned departments and local administrations will prepare a list of potentially dangerous buildings. Officials will assess various factors, including the age of the structure, its construction condition, structural weaknesses and the movement of people around or inside the building.

Following the inspection, buildings classified as highly dangerous will be considered for demolition. However, structures that can be made safe through repairs will not necessarily be demolished. Necessary repairs and structural strengthening will be carried out wherever feasible.

Buildings that have deteriorated to such an extent that repairs are no longer practical will be given priority for demolition.

The government initiative is primarily aimed at preventing incidents involving the collapse of unsafe buildings in urban areas. Authorities expect that identifying and removing such structures will reduce the risk of accidents and strengthen public safety.

The exercise is also expected to provide local administrations with a clearer assessment of the condition of old buildings and help them take timely action before such structures become a serious threat to residents and passers-by.

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The Odisha government has directed district collectors to step up monitoring of land registration offices across the state to ensure transparency, accountability and strict compliance with rules.

The directive comes after a serious alleged land registration fraud surfaced in Nuapada district. The state government has suspended Sarbeswar Jaal, Tahsildar of Komna and Sub-Registrar in charge, following allegations of fraudulent registration of a large parcel of land.

According to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, a preliminary inquiry indicated that the officer allegedly facilitated the fraudulent registration in collusion with vested interests. The action was taken promptly after the Nuapada Collector brought the matter to the government’s notice.

Revenue and Disaster Management Department Additional Chief Secretary Dr Aravinda Kumar Padhee has advised all district collectors to ensure regular monitoring of registration-related activities through the respective Additional District Magistrates (ADMs) and District Registrars.

Collectors have also been asked to conduct surprise inspections of registration offices and closely examine their functioning. The objective is to identify irregularities at an early stage and prevent fraudulent practices.

The state government has also stressed the importance of technology-driven systems to improve transparency and efficiency in the registration process. Authorities have been directed to make maximum use of technology to strengthen accountability and reduce the scope for manipulation.

The department said such irregularities will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Strict compliance with prescribed procedures will be ensured, and appropriate action will be taken against officials found responsible for violations.

The latest directive is aimed at strengthening the land registration system and ensuring greater public confidence in property-related transactions across Odisha.

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In the wake of a tragic stampede during the world-renowned Puri Rath Yatra, which claimed the lives of three devotees and injured over 100, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken decisive action, initiating a high-level inquiry and suspending key officials over gross mismanagement and security failures.

The incident occurred around 4 a.m. on Sunday, disrupting the concluding phase of the annual religious event. The victims — Basanti Sahu, Premakanta Mahanti, and Prabhat Das — lost their lives in the overcrowded chaos that followed a sudden stampede. Grieving over the loss, CM Majhi announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of each deceased devotee.

Top Officials Removed, Inquiry Commissioned

Acting swiftly, the Chief Minister has directed Development Commissioner Anu Garg to conduct an immediate administrative inquiry into the incident. Simultaneously, significant personnel changes have been made:

• Puri District Magistrate Siddharth Shankar Swain and SP Binit Agrawal have been relieved of their duties and appointed as Officers on Special Duty (OSD) in the General Administration Department and Police Headquarters, respectively.

• DCP Bishnu Prasad Pati, who was in charge of Rath Yatra security, and OASP Commandant Ajay Kumar Padhi have been suspended for negligence.

• DIG (STF) Pinak Mishra and Khordha DM Chanchal Rana have taken over as the new SP and DM of Puri, respectively.

Government Prepares for Further Action

The oversight of the Rath Yatra management has now been entrusted to Arvind Agrawal, Higher Education Secretary and a former DM of Puri. Demonstrating urgency, Agrawal cancelled his leave and rushed to Puri on Sunday morning.

Sources indicate that further action may be taken against senior officials including Additional DG Dayal Gangwar and Police DG Y.B. Khurania for their failure to ensure coordination and crowd control.

Warnings Ignored Despite Pre-Festival Reviews

Despite a detailed preparatory review conducted by a ministerial panel led by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on June 19, lapses in crowd regulation and the ineffectiveness of the Integrated Command Control Room contributed to the disastrous outcome. CM Majhi criticised the lack of seriousness displayed by officials and promised strict accountability.

Majhi Vows Justice and Systemic Reform

The government has stated that the findings of the official probe, to be submitted after the Niladri Bije (the return of the deities to the temple), may trigger harsher measures against those responsible. CM Majhi reaffirmed his commitment to uphold the sanctity and safety of the Rath Yatra, stating that exemplary action will be taken to prevent such negligence in the future.

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Top Officials Transferred and Suspended for Negligence

 Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken decisive action following the tragic stampede near Shri Gundicha Temple in Puri during the Rath Yatra, which claimed the lives of three devotees and left over 50 injured. Describing the incident as “inexcusable negligence,” the state government has initiated strong disciplinary steps against several senior officers directly responsible for crowd control and event management.

Puri DM and SP Transferred

In a major administrative reshuffle, Puri District Magistrate Siddharth Shankar Swain has been transferred and appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Public Administration Department. He will be replaced by Chanchal Rana, who will now serve as the new District Magistrate of Puri.

Similarly, Puri SP Binit Agarwal has also been removed from his post. He is to be succeeded by IPS officer Pinak Mishra, who has previous experience serving in Puri and is familiar with managing large-scale events like the Rath Yatra.

Suspensions Ordered for Senior Officials

Further, DCP Vishnu Pati and Commandant Ajay Padhi have been suspended pending investigation for lapses in duty during the Rath Yatra. These suspensions reflect the state’s commitment to accountability and crowd safety during religious gatherings.

New Appointment for Rath Yatra Oversight

The state government has appointed Arvind Agarwal, currently serving as Secretary of the Higher Education Department, with additional charge of overseeing Rath Yatra management. He will supervise all arrangements and coordinate with officials to ensure smoother conduct of the remainder of the festival. This directive was issued by the Public Administration Department to strengthen oversight and prevent further mishaps.

Rs 25 Lakh Compensation for Families of the Deceased

In a gesture of support, Chief Minister Majhi has announced an ex-gratia assistance of ₹25 lakh each to the families of the three devotees who lost their lives in the stampede. The announcement was shared via his official handle on social media platform ‘X’.

High-Level Meeting Held at CM’s Residence

Earlier today, the Chief Minister chaired a high-level emergency meeting at his residence to review the situation and finalize the actions to be taken. Following the meeting, the CMO issued a notification detailing the transfers, suspensions, and compensation packages.

Restoring Public Trust and Ensuring Safety

The CM’s prompt response is being seen as an effort to restore public confidence and address the shortcomings in crowd management that led to the fatal incident. With upcoming events like Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha, the government aims to ensure no recurrence of such tragedies.

The Chief Minister, while expressing deep sorrow and regret, assured devotees that strict action will be taken against those responsible, and that such negligence will not be tolerated in the future.

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