Only 198 of over 35,000 old buildings in Mumbai carry out structural audit

The BMC has received poor response to its appeal to carry out structural audit of buildings which are over 30 years old. Following the Altaf Mansion building collapse incident in which 10 people were killed, only 198 buildings out of 35,079 have submitted structural audit reports to the civic body.

Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte had appealed to the citizens through a public notice in June this year asking them carry out structural audits of the buildings and submit reports within 30 days in the respective ward offices. The civic officials said it has received poor response.

The official added that many societies have also informed the ward officials stating that they will submit the structural audit report at the earliest. “We are hoping that many societies may submit the reports soon,” added the official.

Anand Wagralkar, deputy municipal commissioner, said, “We are coordinating with the local ward officials. We plan to ask the ward officials put a notice urging the citizens to carry out structural audit.”

As per the provision of Section 353 B of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act 1888, it is obligatory on the part of every owner and occupants of buildings (residential/non residential) which are in existence and in use for over 30 years to have them inspected through qualified structural engineer registered with the civic body.

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