Bhubaneswar: The state government has declared Odisha Bhawan in New Delhi “structurally unsafe” for habitation and authorised the Works Department to dismantle the structure.
This followed a direction from Chief Architect, Department of Architecture & Environs, New Delhi Municipal Council on June 29, 2020, for Structural Safety Audit of all government buildings in accordance with the action plan for making buildings in
Delhi seismically complaint. “The Works Department completed the Structural Safety Audit of the three Bhawans of Odisha government in New Delhi- Odisha Bhawan, Odisha Niwas, Odisha Sadan. The OSD Chief Engineer, Odisha, on April 19, 2022, reported that the Odisha Bhawan is unsafe for long term use and recommended for demolition of the existing building within 2-3 year,” a notification from the state Home Department said.
On August 28, 2024, Chief Engineer-cum-Additional Secretary, Works Department, stated that the Odisha Bhawan was beyond economic repair and the building was not safe for habitation. Accordingly, the state government declared the Odisha Bhawan structurally unsafe for habitation. “Works Department is authorised for dismantlement of the same,” it added.