Dehradun Administration Intensifies Action Against Dilapidated Schools; Over 79 Unsafe Buildings To Be Demolished

The Dehradun administration has begun action against dilapidated school buildings, followed by the instructions given by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. As a result, within just 10 days, reports on over 100 dilapidated school buildings have emerged, which had been buried in files for years.

It was reported that hundreds of children in the district have been forced to study in school buildings whose walls could collapse at any moment. Rebar protrudes from the ceilings, water leaks into the rooms during the monsoon, and yet classes continued.

ALSO READ: Noida Techie’s Drowning Raises Serious Concerns Over Infrastructure Negligence And Drainage Failures; Who Is At Fault?

The investigation revealed that over 79 schools in the district were found to be completely unusable. These include 13 secondary and 66 primary schools. These are buildings where it was unsafe for children to even sit. 

Additionally, 17 schools were found to be partially dilapidated, while eight school buildings were currently deemed safe. The District Magistrate has made it clear that immediate demolition will take place at the 63 schools where alternative arrangements have already been made. 

For the remaining 16 schools, alternative arrangements for the children's education will first be ensured, after which the buildings will be demolished. A sum of Rs 1 crore has been sanctioned for demolition and safety works. 

The Public Works Department has been instructed to prepare the estimates within seven days. The District Magistrate has clarified that under no circumstances will classes be held in dilapidated buildings from now on. This action is not just about demolishing buildings; it also raises questions about the education department's system, which ignored the safety of children for years. 

The biggest question is whether these dilapidated schools would have ever come to light without the District Magistrate's firm stance. The buildings that have now been declared unusable were not a new problem. Many schools had been in a dilapidated condition for the past five to 10 years, yet there were no timely inspections or reporting. 

Children directly bore the brunt of the lack of accountability between the education department, construction agencies, and the local administration. Every year, files were closed after showing minor repairs, whereas the real need was to vacate and demolish the buildings. Now that action has begun, it has become clear that with administrative willpower, the situation can be changed in just 10 days. 

ALSO READ: Ranchi Police Bust Organised Child Trafficking Racket, 15 Arrested; 12 Children Rescued

Report and Action Plan

* 79 school buildings are completely unusable 

* 17 schools partially dilapidated 

* Alternative classes started in 63 schools 

* Alternative arrangements will be made in 16 schools 

* Rs 1 crore sanctioned for demolition 

* Instructions to prepare estimates in 07 days

“The safety of children is the top priority. Teaching activities will not be conducted in hazardous buildings in any school. The administration will ensure that action is taken in a time-bound, transparent, and accountable manner,” said Savin Bansal, District Magistrate.