BMC demands structural audit from 4,431 SoBo properties

Mumbai: In the run-up to the monsoon, BMC has sent letters to a total of 4,431 property owners and tenants in Dongri, Masjid, Mohammadali Road, Mumbadevi, and Bhuleshwar areas. Asked to submit reports for a structural audit of their assets. These areas are in the B-ward and C-ward of BMC. 

 

There are more than 6,000 buildings that are old and dangerous. There are more than 2,000 buildings in these wards, which belong to the 'non-cess category and are privately owned. Many old buildings in South Mumbai date back to the British period and are in a state of legal dispute and dilapidated condition. In 2019, 31 people died in the Kesarboy building in Dongri. In 2020, a building in Colaba collapsed, killing 10 people.

 

BMC sends notices every year to carry out structural repairs to non-cess buildings as per Article 353 (b) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act but most of the seniors do not submit the report. Based on the structural audit reports, we classify the buildings and decide whether the occupants should leave or not.

 

When a building was found to be in a state of disrepair we cut off their water and electricity,” said Chakrapani Alley, BMC Assistant Municipal Commissioner, and Ward B and C in charge. B ward notices have been sent to 1,131 buildings this year. C Ward sent notices to 3,200 buildings. A civil engineer in the C ward said only six people had submitted the report, two of which were destroyed. 

 

"Most buildings do not take notices seriously. They do not carry out audits and endanger lives. We do not have the machinery to conduct door-to-door visits and audits," said a civil engineer. Government agencies like MHADA are now scarce, and in most cases, their architects visit and survey buildings, but for the past year, people have been reluctant to make door-to-door visits. Mumbai MLA Amin Patel said this was a serious issue and agencies needed to work to restore the number of their employees. Another engineer in the B ward said a building had been identified as damaged and the matter was in court. Representatives in the area said there had been a shortage of staff and architects due to the epidemic and that many property owners were unable to conduct audits.