The number of dilapidated buildings in the city has reduced by 19 per cent than the last year but the credit does not go to any major campaign from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) against the dangerous building. Total of 83 buildings in Kurla, which were categorized under the dilapidated list for many years, got listed as illegal structures after a survey.
After the changes, Kurla which was at number one spot for many years lost it's position and Ghatkopar, Vileparle, Andheri, Mulund — the suburbs which are comparatively more developed claimed the spot.
The civic body declares a list of dilapidated buildings every year before monsoon as these buildings pose a risk of collapsing in heavy rainfall.
There are several incidents of building collapsing after heavy rainfall and claimed many lives.
At the monsoon preparedness meeting held by the civic body, the municipal commissioner, Praveen Pardeshi said that the measures have to be taken to avoid any mass casualty owing to incidents such as building crashes or landslides incidents.
The number of dilapidated buildings in 2018 was 619 and now in 2019, the number has come down to 499.
Last year BMC prepared the plan to deal with dilapidated buildings, but more than 150 buildings case are pending in courts and about 50 cases are pending with Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). But despite that, the numbers of structures reduced by one.
"The most of the buildings are illegal and not dilapidated. So we did a survey last year and gave them notice under section 351 (for unauthorized structures) instead of section 354 (for dilapidated) of BMC act," said an officer who participated in the survey. The number of dilapidated buildings in Kurla comes down to merely 23 after the conversion of category. At the same time Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Andheri, Vile-parle shows a large number of dilapidated structures. Even Vikhroli is in on the top position due to 30 building under the Estate Department of the BMC which comes under the C-1 category.
"There are 30 buildings at Vikhroli Park site which categorized under C-1, most dangerous category but the buildings need repairs and not an immediate evacuation. The cost of repairing is more than 50 per cent of the construction and that's why as per BMC's policy they put in C-1 category," said an officer from encroachment department of the civic body.
LEARNING FROM THE PAST
Major Mishaps In Rainy Season
- Al Husaini, Bhendi Bazaar: The five-storey building collapsed after two days of August 29, 2017 deluge. 33 people were killed.
- Sai-siddhi Building, Ghatkopar: 17 people were killed in this collapse in 2017. The building was not on the dilapidated building list.
- Altaf Manjil, Mahim - June 2013, 10 people had lost their lives.
- Babu Genu Market building, Mazgaon - The four-storey building collapsed in September 2013, claiming 61 lives.
- Laxmi- Chhaya collapse in July 2007: Part of building collapsed killing 11 people