Amid growing concerns over deteriorating structures across Mumbai, Aaditya Thackeray has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging the Maharashtra government to immediately allocate special funds for the repair of more than 13,500 cessed buildings in the city.
In his letter sent on Friday, Thackeray flagged the precarious living conditions faced by thousands of residents, particularly in the island city, where many buildings are between 50 and 80 years old. He stressed the urgent need for structural strengthening ahead of the monsoon season to prevent potential disasters.
He also pointed out that the Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB), which operates under the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, is grappling with a severe shortage of funds, leading to delays in critical repair work. “The safety of Mumbaikars cannot be compromised due to a lack of funds,” the letter stated. Thackeray called on the government to treat the issue as an emergency and create a dedicated financial corpus to ensure timely repairs and avoid mishaps during heavy rains.
He further advocated for a more efficient mechanism to accelerate redevelopment, noting that many such projects have remained stalled for years due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Cessed buildings, primarily located in South Mumbai, are privately owned structures built before 1969. Residents pay a repair cess to MHADA, which is responsible for their upkeep. These buildings are classified into three categories—Category A (pre-1940), Category B (1940–1950), and Category C (1950–1969)—with older structures being the most vulnerable.
Due to rent control regulations, rental incomes remain extremely low, discouraging landlords from investing in maintenance. While redevelopment is seen as a long-term solution, it is often delayed by disputes or financial unviability, leaving many ageing buildings in a fragile state, especially during the monsoon.
Source: The Hans India
