Amid the 'on and off' tremors still hitting the Valley, the multiple cracks that have developed in the walls and pillars of the building can kill and maim people on the ground anytime, warn experts.Sagar Krishna Joshi, chief of Kathmandu Division Office of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), suggested that the buildings should be demolished if there are visible cracks in the pillars and walls. He added that the risk is greater if bricks have started falling off the walls.
"If any building hit by earthquake develops multiple damage, especially in the foundations and pillars, there is no other option than pulling it down to prevent further risk," said Joshi. He added that the mall needs to be examined at the earliest and dismantled if necessary.
Ratna Bajracharya was among those who nearly lost their senses while looking at the CTC building on Sunday. A local of Patan, Bajracharya stood stock still as he filled up his motorbike at the petrol station just outside the building. "Looking at its sorry state, it feels it might kill us anytime," he said.
The precariousness of the building and its impact on peoples' lives can be judged by the thick presence of buildings nearby. Besides the petrol station, the tall building sits right next to the densely populated Central Jail, a large housing scheme that is now under construction, and Kathmandu Metropolitan City offices.
Commenting on the building, a policeman at Central Jail also suggested that it should be demolished without further delay.
"Cracks have spread across the walls and the building has tilted. It's better to demolish it to avert the danger it is posing," said the policeman.
DUDBC has deployed seven monitoring teams inclusive of engineers and experts to inspect the damage caused by the shock. Although it has been reaching out to hospitals, court houses, government offices and apartment buildings, DUDBC is yet to cover malls like CTC.
Deputy Director General of DUDBC, Shiva Hari Sharma, assured that a team would be deployed to inspect the mall as soon as possible.
"The building must be demolished if the foundation and pillars are damaged. A decision will be taken after a thorough inspection," said Sharma.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Urban Development, along with the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation and Kathmandu Valley Development Authority and under the coordination of the Ministry of Home Affairs, have decided to press forward with the task of demolishing houses and buildings left severely damaged by earthquake.
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