BMC identifies 619 dangerous buildings, maximum in Kurla

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has identified a total of 619 buildings as dangerous to live in. These buildings have been put under C1 category — most dangerous.

Last year, the civic administration had identified a total of 632 buildings as dangerous and 486 of them were private buildings.

Like last year, this year again, maximum number of dangerous buildings have been identified in L ward that covers Kurla, Saki Naka, and Powai. Last year, 101 dangerous buildings were identified in the ward.

According to a senior civic official, these buildings are declared dangerous after carrying out a structural audit. After finding a building dangerous, the civic body also sends a notice to vacate it. "We carry out a structural audit before sending notices to the residents to vacate the premises. If they do not vacate, we disconnect power and water supply of the buildings and then demolish it, said the official.

"We send notices under section 354 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act, 1888. Under the Act, residents are asked to vacate the premises within seven days," informed the official.

The BMC further classifies buildings as C-2 and C-3 . While C-2 buildings require major structural repairs, C-3 need minor repairs.

Kurla is followed by N ward with 51 buildings and the areas include Ghatkopar and Vikhroli. B, C, and M-East wards are have only two dangerous buildings each. Last year, the B ward had six dangerous buildings, but the civic body demolished only four of them.

The F North ward (which includes Matunga, Dadar, and Sion) also has 39 structures in the C-1 category, while last year it had 60. The civic body also evacuated or demolished around 21 buildings.

In the western suburbs, Andheri (west) or the K West ward has 29 buildings in the C-1 category.

In F North, Sion-Koliwada area, residents from 25 buildings have managed to get stay from vacating the building from the High Court. A structural audit is mandatory for any building, which is more than 30 years old.

DANGEROUS

• Total number of dilapidated buildings or C1 category: 619
   
• L ward: 106 (Kurla, Powai, Sakinak)
   
• Under BMC's Estate department purview: 44