Surat, July 1 (NationPress) The structure of an unauthorised box cricket venue on Ramkatha Road in Katargam, Surat, Gujarat, collapsed on Tuesday, resulting in one individual suffering injuries.

This incident triggered swift action from the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), leading to the sealing of seven illegal cricket venues in the vicinity.

Officials reported that the injured party was present at 'The Dot Ball Box' at the time of the incident.

The collapse highlighted significant safety deficiencies and underscored the rampant growth of such illegal setups throughout the city. Previously, civic authorities had issued notifications to multiple operators for functioning without the necessary permits or safety inspections but had failed to enforce any substantial measures until the incident occurred.

In response to this event, SMC teams promptly secured 'The Dot Ball Box' and six other illegal venues in Katargam. The closed facilities include Maruti Cricket near Madhavanand Ashram, The Knock Out near Gopin Bungalows, Friend Box near Pramukh Darshan Society, Century Turf opposite Motived Bhawani Bagh, GG Box in Nani Ved, and Sixer Zone Box in Singanpore.

Civic officials are also planning a comprehensive survey across the city to identify and take action against similar illegal box cricket facilities in other areas.

“These venues are frequently constructed on open land with inadequate structures and lack safety compliance. Public safety is our utmost priority,” stated an SMC representative.

In the meantime, Gujarat faces a growing dilemma of dilapidated buildings, especially in older urban centers like Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot.

Recent statistics from the Urban Development Department and municipal bodies reveal that over 9,000 buildings statewide are categorized as 'dangerous' or 'uninhabitable' as of mid-2025.

Ahmedabad ranks highest, with more than 3,000 structures deemed critically unsafe, primarily located in the old city, Jamalpur, and Dariyapur areas, where many buildings are over 70 to 100 years old and have received little maintenance. Surat has flagged around 1,500 structures, mainly in historic districts like Nanpura, Bhagal, and Gopipura.

In Vadodara, nearly 800 buildings are under close observation, while Rajkot has identified over 700 as unsafe. The onset of the monsoon season significantly increases risks, with frequent incidents of partial collapses, wall failures, and water seepage compromising already vulnerable foundations.

Despite ongoing surveys and eviction orders issued by municipal authorities, many residents remain in these hazardous buildings, largely due to a lack of affordable housing options.