No Accountability, No Resolution

Trans. by B.NARANTUYA

Residents of Ulaanbaatar have increasingly begun to voice concerns that apartment buildings in the capital might topple over, one after another, in relation to sub-standard construction work and lack of regulation. The first warning came with the shifting of Apartment No.16 in Bayangol District.

The 244 residents of Apartment No.16, who were evacuated to hotels after the shift for their safety, have issued repeated complaints and have been demanding accountability and compensation. As of yet, no one or organization has taken responsibility for the damaged apartment building.

Initially it was thought that an adjacent construction site excavating a large area of land, around 2,000 square meters, was responsible for the crack and shifting of Apartment No.16. City officials and contradictory inspection results have delayed the resolution of the issue.

Though the case is yet to be resolved, another similar incident has already occurred.

A construction site near Apartment No.9-A in Chingeltei District is posing danger to public health and safety, and disturbing public peace, according to residents of the area. The construction is reportedly an expansion of Tengis Cinema.

Residents of Apartment No.9 stated that the construction company started to excavate without an official permit to start construction work. They reportedly approached related officials of the company and authorities of the district...