It is an irony of sorts. Though the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked all societies to conduct a structural audit, it has failed to do the same for its own structures.

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

After Borivli’s Laxmi Chhaya building collapsed on July 18, 2007, and claimed 29 lives, the BMC framed bylaws for structural audits and finalised them after a unanimous appeal by all political parties.

Buildings over 15 years old must conduct a structural audit every five years else the BMC would be entitled to disconnect electricity and water supply to the building, according to the draft bylaws. It also stated that the residents would have to report on ‘tenantable repairs’.

Though the bylaws are in force and the BMC has sent notices to all such buildings, the civic body has not implemented the order on its own structures. It has also not allocated funds for the audit fees in its budget.

“There are 3,48,596 properties in Mumbai. The BMC owns 55% of them, including offices, civic hospitals and schools. If the BMC starts its own structural audit, the cost may go into crores, hence the civic body has not decided on it,” an engineer from the city engineering department said. “The audit is very expensive and the BMC does not have sufficient funds for it,” he added.     “The minimum cost of conducting a structural audit for a building is Rs20,000,” said Sanket Shaha of Profile Consultant, a registered structural auditor. “The audit is based on three components - how old is the building, members of the society and area.”

He added, “The auditor does a visual survey and decides on the strength of the building. There is another technology - non-destructive test in which the auditor picks some concrete material and tests it in the laboratory. On the basis of the test, he knows the corrosion of the concrete and decides the strength.”

Despite repeated attempts, BMC commissioner Subodh Kumar remained unavailable for comment.How it’s done

•    Structural audit is commissioned by appointing a consulting structural engineer registered with the BMC•    He carries out as a visual survey of the building. Repair history of the building and specific observations of the members are also noted•    Critical observations, probable causes of distress, remarks on structural health and recommendations for further action are given in the structural audit report