Shirwane Building Evacuation: NMMC Forces 61 Residents To Relocate Amid Safety Concerns

Following the recent collapse of a ground-plus-four building at Shahbaz village in Belapur, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has intensified its efforts to address unsafe living conditions. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of similar structures in the area, prompting the NMMC to take decisive action.

Forcible Evacuation

On Wednesday, the NMMC took a significant step by forcibly evacuating 61 residents from a dilapidated ground-plus-two building in Shirwane, according to Hindustan Times. This action was executed by the Nerul ward office after issuing a 24-hour notice to the occupants on Tuesday evening. The evacuation was conducted in a joint operation involving police and NMMC officials.

The displaced residents were relocated to a rescue shelter at Juinagar. Municipal Commissioner Kailas Shinde explained, "During an official survey, it was found that the building was in a ruinous state. Previous notices to vacate had been ignored. The exterior of the building is covered with large cracks, green algae, and chunks of concrete fall off regularly. To prevent a repeat of the Belapur incident, the occupants were asked to vacate as per the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act (MRTP) Act 1966."

Assessment Of Building Legality

The NMMC is now investigating the legality of the building, which was constructed in 1992. The engineering department has been tasked with assessing whether the structure poses a threat and whether demolition is necessary. An official from the ward office stated, "As this is a very old construction, the builder has been asked to submit relevant documents to determine the legality of the structure. Currently, the flats are sealed, and a decision on demolition is pending."

The building in question houses 12 flats, with nine belonging to the builder. According to residents, "The builder sold only three flats and has been leasing out the remaining ones. Despite repeated requests for repairs, the builder did not address the issues. While the interiors of the flats were in good condition, the exterior of the building was in a poor state. We were forced to vacate as the NMMC determined that the structure was likely to collapse," said resident Feroza Khatun in Hindustan Times report.

The NMMC's swift action highlights the growing urgency to ensure the safety and habitability of residential buildings in the area.