BMC to raze 2 South Mumbai bldgs this month

Mumbai: Under pressure to take immediate action against dilapidated buildings in the wake of the Dongri building collapse, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is likely to demolish two C1 category buildings in B ward, which are classified as highly dangerous, this month itself.

Two days after the collapse, which claimed 13 lives, the assistant municipal commissioner of B ward — where congested localities like Mohammad Ali Road and Dongri are located — was suspended and additional charge was given to C ward AMC Vinayak Vispute. Mr Vispute has now been directed to take urgent action against structures that can put the lives of their occupants at risk

“I have directed Mr Vispute to make a list of all C1 category buildings and demolish them as soon as possible for which court has passed an order,” said deputy municipal commissioner, zone 1, Harshad Kale.

“There are some eight C1 category buildings in the B and C wards that will be demolished soon. However, some of these buildings are embroiled in court cases,” Mr Kale added.

Mr Vispute told The Asian Age that Padamsee building on Chakla Street (whose electricity and water supply has been cut) and Chotti Bibi House on Narayan Koli Road would be evacuated and demolished soon. “Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) will demolish another building at Umarkhadi soon,” he added.

The part of Kesarbai building that collapsed on Tuesday morning was illegally constructed. The entire building was considered a single structure and put in the C1 category. The building was modified in 1994. The rest of the building, which was evacuated last year, comes under the Mhada, according to the authority’s Chief Executive Officer, D.K. Jagdale.