The collapse of a three-storey building at Kamathipura in the city has once again brought into focus the risk faced by thousands of people living in such dilapidated structures.
The collapse of a three-storey building at Kamathipura in the city has once again brought into focus the risk faced by thousands of people living in such dilapidated structures.
According to civic data, there were 712 C1 types of buildings, of which the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has demolished 153 so far.
Of the remaining 559 structures, the civic body has cut off water and electricity supply of 180 buildings to ensure their evacuation.
As part of its monsoon precautionary measures last year, the BMC had sent eviction notices to 559 buildings in the city asking their residents to vacate them before the arrival of rains.
These buildings fall under the C1category, which means the structure is extremely dangerous and needs to be vacated immediately.
Every year, the BMC makes a pre-monsoon survey of city buildings to find out whether they are structurally strong to face the monsoon vigours.
After the survey, the civic body asks the residents living in dangerous buildings to evacuate them and move to safer places.
Civic officials said that despite notices and fervent pleas, residents in majority of these buildings continue to live in such wobbly structures, putting their lives at stake. They even oppose the BMC’s attempts to evacuate these buildings.
“People living in dilapidated buildings despite several reminders are reluctant to leave and move to transit camps. They feel it would be inconvenient for them to stay in far-flung areas,” said a senior civic official.
There are over 35,000 buildings in the city that are more than 30 years old. While several of them have done their audit, in some cases they are taking second opinion and haven’t submitted their reports to the BMC.
“We issue eviction notices to all the residents living in private dilapidated buildings. In case of municipal buildings, we have evacuated some buildings, some have been demolished and a second opinion is being sought in some of the cases,” said a civic official.
