MUMBAI: Evicting residents from the over 400 unsafe and dilapidated buildings has become a major challenge for the BMC.
In this year’s pre-monsoon survey, the BMC had identified 407 dilapidated buildings and listed them in the C1 category—it means they are unsafe for occupation and have to be pulled down.
While 322 of these ‘dangerous’ structures are privately owned, 59 are BMC-owned and the remaining 26 belong to the state government.
Illegal structures, including the building that crashed in Malwani’s New Collector Compound late on Wednesday, are not part of this list, said civic officials.
Times ViewThe issue of dangerous and dilapidated buildings has been plaguing the city for several years now.
Every year, these buildings crash and several lives are lost.
Regardless of who owns the buildings, the BMC must step up to vacate and get these buildings demolished.
The state government must issue fresh, clear orders fixing the responsibility of razing these buildings.
If there is any litigation, then the BMC must work to get stay orders vacated.H-West ward, that covers Bandra, Khar and Santacruz west, has the maximum numb-er of dilapidated buildings (49), followed by N Ward (47), that covers Bhandup and Nahur.
BMC officials said they have razed close to 150 unsafe and shaky buildings and cut electric and water supply in 112 structures.
“But the demolition of 73 dilapidated buildings is pending as the residents have moved court.
The structural audit reports of 18 other buildings have been sent to the technical advisory committee (TAC),” said a civic official, adding that 107 structures have been vacated and will soon be pulled down.
“We are razing buildings that are not facing litigation or are awaiting TAC report.
In cases where residents don’t cooperate after sending eviction notices, we have cut off their electricity and water supply.
We will review the status of the pending cases and carry out the demolition by following due process of law,” said deputy municipal commissioner Sanjog Kabre.
According to BMC rules, residents living in buildings that are over 30 years old have to carry out the structural audit.
Those found to be in the C1 category and can’t be repaired have to be vacated.
“However, after receiving BMC notices, many residents move court or appeal before the TAC to get the structural audit reports vetted,” said another civic official.
“On many occasions, the BMC takes an undertaking from residents that they are living in the dilapidated building at their own risk and cost,” he added.
Mum: 407 unsafe, shaky buildings identified for demolition
