The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has made structural audits by certified auditors mandatory for housing societies and commercial units over 30 years old before any repair work. This is as per the unified development regulations and Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act of 1966. NMMC recently identified 528 structures as unsafe after surveying the city. However, residents have raised concerns that audits will be misused to declare buildings dilapidated and will be sent for redevelopment. They argue that well-maintained buildings can last longer than 30 years. There are also allegations of nexus between officials, builders and ex-corporators wanting to profit from redevelopment. However, NMMC has clarified that the step is necessary given the history of collapse of unsafe structures.
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has made it mandatory for housing societies and commercial units constructed more than 30 years ago to get a structural audit done by a certified auditor before undertaking any repair or strengthening work. The secretaries or presidents of societies or commercial units that fail to follow the guidelines laid down by the civic administration will be held responsible in the event of any disaster.
The civic body has directed societies to obtain necessary permission from NMMC for any maintenance work by getting a structural audit conducted by a certified auditor. As per the unified development regulations for Maharashtra and the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act of 1966, it is compulsory to appoint a certified structural auditor and obtain sanctions from the town planning department for any internal or external repair work in residential or commercial units that are 30 years or older.
NMMC had already released a list of dangerous and dilapidated buildings after a city-wide survey. NMMC has found as many as 528 structures unsafe to stay in during the 2023-24 survey conducted last time as per the norms of Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act (MMCA). Concerned civic officials have been instructed to issue notices under 265A of the MMCA.
It has also issued notices directing buildings over 30 years old to mandatorily get structural audits. The emphasis on audits and certified auditors is to prevent building collapses seen in the past. As per bye-laws, buildings between 15-30 years need an audit every five years, and those over 30 years need one every three years before repairs. But in some cases, work was directly undertaken without following due process, resulting in entire building collapses, said an official.
However, residents have raised some concerns. Some argue that under the pretext of structural audits, buildings will be declared dilapidated and pushed for redevelopment. Ravindra Sawant, spokesperson for the Navi Mumbai Congress, which has opposed builder lobbying for redevelopment, said buildings in Navi Mumbai are well maintained by housing societies through regular repairs and painting. It is not possible for structures to become dangerous within 30 years.
A Vashi resident argued that Navi Mumbai is only 50 years old, and a cement structure with regular maintenance can last 60 years. There are ex-corporators turned builders and their agents interested in redevelopment. Private auditors appointed by societies are also not allowed to work due to vested interests of builders lobbying to get structures declared unsafe for redevelopment contracts, he added.
While the intention of ensuring safety is valid, the civic body must address resident concerns to avoid misuse and gain public trust. Transparency in the audit process and selection of auditors could help. Strict action against illegal construction and focus on their audit may satisfy residents. But some regulations cannot be avoided if safety is the top priority for NMMC. A balanced approach considering all perspectives is needed to settle this controversial issue.
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