NMMC gives 24-hr eviction notice to dangerous bldgs

Navi Mumbai: The civic administration has served 24-hour notice period for eviction to buildings categorized as most dangerous and not suitable for occupancy on Tuesday. The civic body is not taking any chance after the multi-storey building collapse in Bhiwandi earlier this month.

A total of 37 buildings, spread across the eight wards, have been categorized as extremely dangerous by NMMC. These buildings, as per the civic body, cannot be repaired and have to be demolished immediately. (see box)

“A list of dilapidated buildings was declared prior to monsoon which had categories C1, C2 A, C2 B and C3. Buildings under C1 category are beyond the scope of repairs and renovation. These buildings pose high risk of collapse especially during monsoon. To avoid repeat of incidents seen in other corporations, ward offices have been instructed to issue the eviction notices,” said Ankush Chavan, additional commissioner, NMMC.

Water and electric supply of the residents who don’t evacuate within the given time will be disconnected, said sources, adding that the officials are also seeking police department’s assistance.

But residents of these buildings are worried as the civic body has no policy to rehabilitate the affected persons. “There is no policy wherein NMMC is required to rehabilitate occupants of buildings that are declared dangerous. Our focus is to ensure that residents are not harmed. If the building collapses, then the civic body is held responsible for failing to evacuate,” said Chavan.

Faced with the prospects of losing their homes, residents are hoping that proposals for redevelopment are approved at the earliest. “Considering that NMMC has no plans to rehabilitate and there are no transit camps available, the civic body should at least work towards clearing the proposals for redevelopment pending with the special committee,” said Joseph Reddy, advocate representing 8 associations comprising of 117 JN-type buildings in Vashi declared dangerous.

He added that this will give some kind of assurance to the occupants who are now forced to look for alternate accommodation at their own expense.