The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has identified 96 cessed buildings in Mumbai’s island city as “extremely dangerous” and at risk of collapse during the upcoming monsoon. The buildings, mostly located in South and Central Mumbai, have been flagged under MHADA’s annual pre-monsoon structural audit conducted by the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board.
These buildings are spread across neighbourhoods such as Bora Bazaar, Mohammed Ali Road, Falkland Road, Mazgaon, Girgaum, Khetwadi, and Dadar-Matunga. Notably, two of the buildings on this year’s list were also included in the previous year’s survey, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.
In total, these 96 dilapidated structures accommodate around 3,162 residents and tenants. MHADA has issued formal eviction notices to 184 residential tenants, urging them to vacate immediately to avoid life-threatening risks during the heavy rains. So far, only three residents have shifted to designated transit camps provided by the authorities. However, 176 residents remain in their homes despite having received notices.
MHADA is actively working to relocate all affected occupants to transit accommodations. Further notices have been served to the remaining tenants who are yet to move, with the agency emphasising the urgency of evacuation to prevent potential disasters.
Cessed buildings are old structures for which landlords receive financial aid from MHADA for repairs and maintenance. However, due to age and neglect, many of these buildings continue to deteriorate and pose a serious hazard, especially during the monsoon season when the risk of structural failure increases.
MHADA officials have reiterated that the purpose of this pre-monsoon list is not only to identify unsafe buildings but also to safeguard lives by initiating timely evacuations and providing temporary housing solutions.
Source: TOI
