Recent building collapses in Mumbai have prompted the Government of Maharashtra to give serious thought to the reconstruction of more than 19,000 old and dilapidated buildings in the city. Most of these buildings, located in south Mumbai, are standing on their last legs. A petition on redevelopment of these cessed buildings is pending in the Mumbai High Court. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in its pre-monsoon survey conducted has said that 876 buildings in south Mumbai are dilapidated and in imminent state of collapse. Besides being privately owned, the buildings belong to Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, and the BMC. Wards like A, B and C have four to six storeyed buildings constructed 100-125 years ago, the survey said. "Roads and lanes are narrow, sewage and garbage disposal systems have completely collapsed leading to unhygienic conditions. Existing structures act as a death trap, in case of tragic accidents, like fire," the survey said.
Shocked at the dangerous living condition of families in Mumbai's dilapidated buildings, state housing minister has ordered that all these be immediately vacated. He had visited some of the 19,000 dilapidated buildings in the city. Officials of the Repair and Reconstruction Board were directed to ensure that residents were relocated before the monsoon. Though the civic authorities ritually put up notices declaring a building as dangerous and unfit for habitation, residents refuse to move out for fear of losing their homes.
Hence, Civic officials insist that action will be taken if residents refuse to vacate. Swadheen Kshatriya, BMC Commissioner said, "We will issue them notices and if necessary will forcefully evict them" But why the resistance to go to alternate housing? Residents say it’s because of their distant location, unappealing surroundings and uncertainty over their future. For lakhs of people in maximum city, a roof over their heads is considered a luxury and often it’s a strong sense of homelessness that makes residents choose to fall with their buildings rather than live at the alternate homes. Despite persistent government efforts during Mumbai rains, people continue to endanger their lives.
It was about 25-years ago when the developer Shankar Sarin constructed Shankar Lok building on a plot of land which housed slums. While speaking to Santacruz Patrika, one of the tenant of the building who was earlier a slum dweller said, “While constructing the seven-storey building, the developer promised to allot us flats in the building. But instead he sold most of the flats and is allotting pigeon-holes to stay in without any basic amenities.” The building ever since it has been constructed has been left un-attended with no maintenance of any sort. And also since the building has not been granted Certificate of Occupation (OC) the building is almost vacant with no residents living. Only a few residents living on the ground floor are residing in the building. With no water or other facilities no tenant is ready to stay in their flats and almost all have left to alternate places.
With the BMC dues having got accumulated into lakhs and being unpaid, BMC served notice to the building. Thereafter, Ashok Mastekar a developer from Dadar purchased the building in auction. Despite, Mastekar having purchased the building it still remains in pathetic condition with absolutely no repairs carried out. In fact huge slabs keep frequently falling down putting the neighbouring building occupants and their children who play around in fear of fatal injuries and putting the lives of many at risk. Looking at the risk involved, BMC on several occasions have served notices to the occupants to vacate the building so that the building could be demolished in the interest of their lives and the neighbouring building tenants. But, due to reluctance from a few tenants the building stands in a dilapidated condition with slabs falling, thereby risking lives of others. Recently, from the water tank on the terrace a huge slab fell on a nearby chawl damaging their roof. Luckily, since no one was there at the spot no casualties were reported.
However, another tenant while speaking to Santacruz Patrika said, “With the demise of the developer Shankar Sarin and the new owner Mastekar not ready to offer us any alternative accommodation, where are we to vacate and go without any penny.” “Does the BMC expect us to live on the footpaths with our family? questioned the angered tenant.
BMC way back in its survey conducted in 2007-08 had declared Shankar Lok as a dilapidated building and had accordingly served notice u/s 354 of Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act. As per their safety norms, every year prior to the monsoons, the BMCs Building & Factories Department carries out survey of buildings in every ward. Depending on the condition, residents are either asked to vacate or repair the building to avoid any causality due to danger of building collapse. As per that survey 10 structures in the H/E ward were found in unsafe category including Shankar Lok, which means that they are structurally unstable, in extremely dangerous condition and need to be vacated immediately. Despite, three years having passed after that survey BMC has done nothing and the building still stands tall and on verge of collapse. The BMC Commissioner S Kshatriya having issued an ultimatum in his words said, "We will issue them notices and if necessary will forcefully evict them". So, Mr. Kshatriya why have you remained silent in evicting the tenants of this dangerous building? Will you rise to occasion only after the building collapses and loss of many lives?
Secondly, it is also very astounding to note about the negligence and no action from the local Corporator Sanjay Potnis of Shiv Sena who is also the chairman of BEST. He along with his ex-corporator wife Sunaina Potnis and family live a handshake distance from the dilapidated building Shankar Lok. Also, the nearby Sumangal Co-Op Housing Society have recently sent a letter to the BMC which states, “ The building Shankar Lok being right opposite to Sumangal Co-Op Hsg Soc is in a very dilapidated condition, with large portions of its slabs falling almost everyday on the access path of our society. We wish to state that the condition of the building is such that it may collapse at any time which may be dangerous or even lead to fatalities. Looking at the gravity of the situation, we earnestly request you to declare the structure as a “dangerous” one and take up steps for demolition of the same before the occurrence of any untoward incident. From sources it is also learnt that the Siddharth-Yeshwant Nagar Hsg. Soc. Federation comprising about 50 societies are also planning to take up the matter with BMC in the interest of any casualties to the surrounding structures.
Old buildings become unfit for habitation as a result of one of the following factors (i) Neglect of normal repairs: Buildings reach a dilapidated state after routine repairs have been neglected consistently over a period of time. This neglect can pose an immediate threat to the occupants (exposed joints in a brick wall, for instance, can also cause an injury) and can eventually lead to a structural weakening of the whole building. (ii) Instability of the structure: Widening cracks in the wall, a low creaking sound from wooden beams or posts, progressively noticed sagging of beams, may constitute an early indication of a loss of structural integrity. (iii) Dampness: Dampness is another factor that can lead to serious problems in buildings. A damp patch is usually noticed near the water closet (WC) and bathroom area. Leaky joints in the water supply and drainage systems are very often responsible for walls suffusing with moisture. Discoloration and peeling off wall plaster are sure indications of dampness. If unattended, the moisture is liable to travel towards the structural wooden or reinforced concrete members and enhance their decay.
Summing up, will the BMC and concerned authorities take remedial measures in the interest of any casualties before it too late.
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