Nearly 19,000 buildings across Mumbai are estimated to be without Occupation Certificates (OCs), but the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) latest amnesty scheme has reportedly received only one or two applications so far. Experts have attributed the poor response to limited public awareness and the high cost of regularising unauthorised construction.
The Practising Engineers, Architects and Town Planners Association (PEATA India) will organise a seminar on November 3 to help housing societies and flat owners understand the scheme’s eligibility criteria, concessions and application process.
Yomesh Rao, president of PEATA India, said unofficial estimates suggest around 19,000 buildings lack OCs, excluding approximately 6,000 Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) structures. He added, “There are substantial building in Bombay Jurisdiction that do not have OC for various reasons. The Unverified Estimate is around 19000 Bldgs + SRA buildings, both 33(10) Slum Scheme and 33 (11) PTC scheme, totalling about 25000,” said Yomesh Rao, PEATA president.
The scheme, effective September 8, 2026, offers financial concessions during its initial six months. However, awareness gaps regarding documentation and procedures have reportedly discouraged applicants.
CA Ramesh Prabhu, founder-chairman of the Maharashtra Societies Welfare Association (MahaSEWA), flagged the scheme’s restrictions, including its applicability to residential units measuring up to 80 square metres and a 15 per cent cap on regularisation. He warned that purchasing additional floor space index (FSI) could cost individual flat owners between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh.
Advocate Shreeprasad Parab, expert director of the Maharashtra State Co-operative Housing Federation Ltd, said developers and authorities must also be held accountable for construction violations instead of placing the entire financial burden on homebuyers.
An OC confirms that a completed building complies with applicable regulations and approved plans. Its absence can complicate property transactions, redevelopment and civic permissions, while potentially exposing residents to higher charges.
Experts have called for simpler procedures, lower premiums and a transparent, technology-driven approval system to encourage compliance.
Source: Mid-day
