Mumbai building collapse: 505 buildings in the city are "dangerous to live in"

Mumbai has seen two building collapses in a span of three months

According to numbers revealed by the Bruhanmumbai Municipal Corporation, only 3 per cent of buildings identified as 'vulnerable to collapse' in Mumbai have been demolished so far. Out of the 640 buildings marked as 'dangerous to live in' 20 have been demolished, 115 have been evacuated but the rest continue to pose a danger to its residents.

The BMC, Mumbai's civic body is in charge of identifying dilapidated buildings and conduct structural audits to ensure that buildings are suitable for occupancy. According to data, last available until July 31, the civic body has issued notices to residents of 158 buildings such buildings and has disconnected water and electricity supply to force them out of the buildings.

Before monsoon sets in, the BMC, on an annual basis conducts an audit of old buildings under its limits and categorizes them into three divisions depending on vulnerability. Buildings under category 1 are dangerous, category 2 structures require major repairs while category 3 buildings are pushed for minor repairs.

640 structures in Mumbai have been listed under category 1 this year out of which residents of 146 structures have approached the court. The list of the buildings is available in public domain on www.mcgm.gov.in. BMC officials added that people refuse to vacate the buildings despite being fully aware that their lives are at risk.

The Hussaini building that collapsed on Thursday was 117 years old and had received two evacuation notices in 2011 and one demolition notice in 2016. 33 people died in the Thursday's building collapse.

Mumbai has seen three building collapses in two months and in the last 20 years, 267 people have died in 17 building collapses in Mumbai. The BMC website says that the most vulnerable buildings are in Ghatkopar, Kurla and Chandivli.

OneIndia News