The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is likely to launch a comprehensive action plan to inspect and assess the condition of aging buildings across the district ahead of the monsoon season. The initiative follows growing public concern about the safety of old structures and a recent tragedy that highlighted the risks posed by neglected infrastructure.
According to sources in the revenue department, the plan is to identify buildings in both the public and private sectors that may be prone to collapse due to age related wear and tear and environmental stressors. The inspection is expected to prioritize structures in densely populated commercial areas, aging residential clusters, educational institutions and public buildings where large numbers of people congregate.
The move gains momentum in the wake of the collapse of a five-decade-old corporation building in Valiyangadi earlier this week, resulting in many deaths and injuries. The incident also prompted the Kozhikode Corporation to order a structural audit of all its properties to prevent further accidents.
DDMA officials emphasized the importance of early detection of structural weaknesses through regular inspections. Many buildings, they say, were built at a time when risk assessments were minimal and maintenance schedules were not strictly adhered to. With changing weather conditions and increased load on infrastructure, it is imperative to evaluate structural stability through professional assessment, they said.
A senior finance department official said there are proposals to form a team of civil and structural engineers in consultation with the public works department and local self-government institutions to complete the task. The team would conduct detailed surveys of walls, foundations, beams, roofs and other critical components to determine whether the structure remains safe for habitation. Buildings found to be unsafe will be marked for evacuation, he said.
Following the Valiyangadi incident, revenue department officials have also asked residents and building owners to cooperate with the survey teams, provide access to the premises and submit all records related to maintenance and previous repairs. Officials noted that past incidents, such as falling plaster or cracks in older buildings, highlight the need for district-wide assessments.
Sources said the first phase of inspections should be completed within three months, after which a consolidated report with recommendations on the way forward would be submitted to the Disaster Management Authority. In addition, local governments will initiate their own measures to identify facilities under their control that require immediate maintenance support, they added.
Published – 28 Feb 2026 21:20 IST
