The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is seeking the Supreme Court’s intervention to expedite the eviction of residents from 63 dangerously dilapidated buildings in Mumbai. The occupants have legally contested their eviction, posing significant delays and safety risks. The BMC argues that these structures are hazardous and urgently need to be vacated to prevent potential disasters.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the orders of the city civil court or High Court (HC) that have stayed the eviction notices issued to tenants or residents of dilapidated buildings. Currently, the occupants of 63 dangerously dilapidated buildings in the city have taken legal action to challenge their eviction by the BMC.
In its pre-monsoon survey this year, the civic body identified 188 buildings as “dangerous.” However, the BMC able to evict the occupants from only 84 of these buildings.
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For the remaining 104 buildings, the civic body sent notices to the occupants of 41 buildings, making it clear that it’s in their best interest to evacuate, as they will be held responsible for any mishaps. Meanwhile, the residents of 63 buildings have moved to court to challenge the eviction orders.
A municipal official stated,
“Despite taking strict actions like cutting off electricity and water supplies, the residents remain unswayed. We sympathize with them on humanitarian grounds, yet it raises the question of liability in the event of a collapse during the monsoon season. Our efforts have significantly reduced the number of unsafe buildings, but for a lasting solution, we intend to seek the apex court’s help,”
Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Joshi commented,
“We are actively deliberating on the matter and will shortly be making our case to the Supreme Court.”
In the last two years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) categorized 493 buildings as C-1 structures, which are deemed unsafe for habitation. Additionally, civic data indicates that 289 dangerous buildings have been demolished during this period.
A recent survey conducted by the authorities revealed that the western suburbs of the city have the highest concentration of dangerous buildings, with 144 such structures identified. This followed by 47 dangerous buildings in the eastern suburbs and 27 in the island city.
The BMC website states that in case of an emergency, occupants can contact the disaster management cell helpline numbers 1916, 22694725, or 22694727 for assistance. Additionally, the list of dilapidated buildings has been made available on the BMC’s website.
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According to the civic policy, buildings that are more than 30 years old are eligible for a structural audit. Based on the findings of these surveys, the BMC annually classifies the buildings into various categories and determines whether they need to be completely demolished or if they can be repaired.
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