After thoroughly assessing the structural integrity of buildings around the city, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has designated 527 buildings as decrepit for the 2024–25 period in response to mounting concerns over deteriorating infrastructure. The NMMC has implemented a rule mandating a structural audit for all buildings over 30 years old as part of continuous safety measures.
Either the building’s date of first occupancy or the issuing of its occupancy certificate is used to calculate the 30-year barrier. Engineers registered with the NMMC-approved panel are required to conduct these audits. By March 31, 2025, property owners must turn in the audit reports to the Town Planning department or the appropriate ward office. Section 3948 A of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act (MMCA) stipulates that noncompliance will result in penalties. Owners will be fined Rs 25,000 or the amount of their yearly property tax, whichever is higher, for not submitting audits on time.
Under Section 264 of the MMCA, the NMMC is surveying intending to enhance safety and avert possible mishaps caused by structural problems. In a related move, the city authority has also made audits mandatory for structures under 30 years old and those undergoing reconstruction. This ruling comes in the wake of allegations that certain property owners had falsified audit reports in the past to speed up redevelopment approvals.
Buildings that are being redeveloped, those that are receiving benefits from redevelopment initiatives, or structures that are less than 30 years old are required by the NMMC to submit to an audit by IIT Bombay.
In certain cases, buildings that were only 15 years old had their structural audit reports falsified to have them deemed dilapidated and renovated. Therefore, the commissioner has mandated that the structural audit report be obtained through IIT’, stated Dr. Rahul Gethe, deputy municipal commissioner for encroachment.
Source: News Nine
