The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has begun evacuating highly dangerous buildings in South Mumbai after recent partial collapses of two cessed buildings renewed concerns over the safety of ageing structures. Although the two buildings that collapsed were not included in this year’s list of dangerous structures, the incidents prompted authorities to accelerate evacuation efforts.
According to MHADA’s Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board, 13 of the 82 buildings identified as highly dangerous have now been vacated. Around 50 residents have been relocated to transit camps, while demolition work on the evacuated buildings has already commenced. The process of clearing the remaining dangerous structures is also underway.
The Repair Board is responsible for the maintenance, repair and redevelopment of old cessed buildings in South Mumbai. Every year before the monsoon, officials conduct structural inspections to identify buildings that are beyond repair. Such buildings are classified as highly dangerous and are earmarked for evacuation, with residents shifted to transit accommodation before the rainy season.
This year, the board identified 82 buildings as highly dangerous, affecting 2,102 residents who need to be relocated to safer locations. However, despite the onset of the monsoon, none of these buildings had initially been vacated, drawing criticism after portions of two other cessed buildings collapsed in separate incidents.
Following public concern over the safety of occupants in ageing buildings, MHADA has stepped up its evacuation drive.
Rupesh Raut, Resident Executive Engineer of the Mumbai Building Repair and Reconstruction Board, said that 13 buildings have been vacated so far.
Among the displaced residents, 50 have been shifted to transit camps at Ghodapdev and Dharavi, while several others have made alternative accommodation arrangements on their own.
Authorities have also initiated demolition of the evacuated buildings to prevent further risks. Officials said engineers at the divisional level are continuing efforts to evacuate the remaining highly dangerous structures.
The Repair Board has warned that residents who refuse to vacate unsafe buildings may face disconnection of electricity and water supply to facilitate evacuation, stressing that the measure is necessary to safeguard lives during the ongoing monsoon season.
Source: Loksatta
