Mumbai identifies 407 unsafe and shaky structures for demolition

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is facing a major challenge in evicting residents from over 400 unsafe and dilapidated buildings. The BMC identified 407 dilapidated buildings in this year's pre-monsoon survey and placed them in the C1 category, which means they are unsafe to occupy and must be demolished. 322 of these dangerous structures are privately owned, 59 are owned by the BMC, and the remaining 26 are owned by the state government. The H-West ward, which includes Bandra, Khar, and Santacruz west, has the most dilapidated structures (49), followed by N Ward (47), which includes Bhandup and Nahur. BMC officials told the media nearly 150 unsafe and shaky structures have been demolished, and 112 have had their power and water shut off. However, the residents have filed a lawsuit to prevent the demolition of 73 dilapidated buildings. A civic official told the media that the structural audit reports of 18 other buildings have been sent to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), adding that 107 structures have been vacated and will be demolished soon. Residents who live in buildings that are more than 30 years old are required by BMC rules to conduct a structural audit. Those that are found to be in the C1 category and are unable to be repaired must be removed. However, many residents go to court or file an appeal with the TAC after receiving BMC notices to have the structural audit reports vetted. Residents frequently give the BMC an undertaking that they are living in the dilapidated building at their own risk and expense. Image Source Also read: More than 80 illegal farm houses demolished in Gurugram Also read: Ahmedabad civic body intensifies sealing drive against buildings