Excavation of cellars banned by GHMC

Hyderabad: After banning road cutting during the monsoon, the GHMC has decided to bar excavation of earth for cellars from June 5 to September 30 as a precautionary measure.

The decision came after Saturday's incident where two construction labourers died during excavation. at Premnagar, Amberpet.

According to a GHMC official, the civic body had instructed ground level staff to remove old compound walls, take precautionary measures needed for sloped terrain, and shift those living in huts and temporary structures on the side of retaining walls to other areas. 

A senior town planning wing official said that the corporation had accorded permission for 60 cellar excavations. Assistant city planners and other officials have been directed to visit all the sites where cellars have been permitted earlier to ensure safety of the workers and neighbouring structures. 

In case cellar works were in the initial stages, officials have been instructed to stop them immediately. At sites, where the works have been taken up, officials were directed to check and ensure that soil strengthening and structural stability of retaining walls as per the standards.

Officials were directed to inspect dilapidated structures and issue notices to owners. They have been directed to initiate measures to vacate occupants living in dilapidated structures, besides pasting caution notices on the structures.

This special drive is to continue till the end of monsoon and officials have been warned of serious action in case of any complacency or negligence in implementing the orders.