Sally-Ann David, Guernsey Electricity's corporate strategy director, said the company was disappointed not to be allowed to take the "pragmatic step" of demolishing the houses.

BBC: Guernsey Electricity plan to demolish houses rejected

They are now carrying out controlled detonations of the unsafe houses in Ahmedabad and demolishing them.

BBC: E-mail: Picking up the pieces

Meanwhile, American banks overloaded with foreclosed properties are demolishing vacant dwellings to get the empty houses off their books.

CNN: Are jobs obsolete?