Indore (Madhya Pradesh): After nearly five years of hiatus, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) once again blasted off a four-storey illegal commercial building on Saturday. The building, located adjacent to a drain in Ward 31, was demolished in just five seconds after simultaneous blasts were triggered in over 10 of its structural pillars.
A massive cloud of dust enveloped the area as the structure came crashing down, with officials confirming that the blast was executed under strict safety protocols. The operation marked the culmination of a prolonged legal battle and several warnings issued to the property owner.
According to IMC officials, the building was constructed by Dr Izhar Munshi, an employee in the office of the divisional joint director, on plot number 234 of PU-4.
The construction blatantly violated land development regulations, including a mandatory 9-meter setback from the nearby drain. Despite repeated notices, no corrective measures were taken by the owner, prompting the IMC to initiate decisive action.
The IMC had attempted to begin demolition a day earlier using a JCB machine. However, the structure's instability posed a risk of collapse onto the equipment and workers. “We realized that continuing with the JCB was dangerous. The risk of the building toppling over during partial demolition was too high,” an official stated.
Consequently, experts were called in to plan a controlled demolition using explosives. These were strategically placed in more than ten key support pillars. Ahead of the blast, the area was cordoned off to ensure public safety. IMC officials confirmed that the demolition was executed smoothly and without incident.
The building featured unauthorised elements including a basement and fully enclosed front and rear sections, further compounding its illegality. The swift and controlled demolition serves as a stark warning against unauthorised constructions in the city.
