OREANDA-NEWS. April 29, 2010. There are now 465 left of 1,722 dilapidated and dangerous structures to be demolished in Moscow.

“This grandiose program [aimed at taking down ramshackle houses in Moscow] is currently being implemented. Due to the crisis, it will be completed in 2012, two years later than originally planned. We have already demolished 73 per cent of such structures,” Vladimir Resin, first deputy mayor of Moscow, said at a press conference on April 27.

According to the official, the dilapidated five-storey houses have completely taken down in the central and southern districts of Moscow and Zelenogradsky one as well. “Next year the program is to be completed in the eastern and southeastern districts while its completion in the rest of Moscow is scheduled for 2012,” Mr Resin added.

The first deputy mayor added that from 700,000 to 800,000 square metres of ramshackle residential buildings would be demolished in 2010.

“We keep our promise given to Muscovites – residents of the houses to be demolished are moved to the new ones in the same district,” Mr Resin emphasized.