Old bldgs’ audit must; BMC to vacate dangerous structures

Mumbai: The BMC has issued a public notice asking residents of all over 30-yearold buildings to conduct a structural audit within 30 days and submit the reportto the local ward office. This salvo came the day after the Mahim building collapse.The decision was taken in a meeting on Tuesday headed by municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte.      Meanwhile, it was also decided in the meeting the BMC will send eviction notices to all buildings that are classified as extremely dangerous during their pre-monsoon survey and will evict such building before June 15.      Around 950 city building have been marked as dangerous; at least 10% of these buildings fall in the extremely dangerous category.      The BMC has put to use the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act's Section 353A and asked residents of 30-year-plus buildings to get them inspected by qualified structural engineers. The BMC has records of buildings that are over 30 years old.      The public notice also mentions that the buildings should take steps mentioned by the structural engineer within six months, failing which appropriate action will be taken.      "Buildings that are at least 30 years old may become structurally weak. Following inspection, one can identify whether the structure has developed any problems and can be rectified. If the Mahim building had been inspected in time, the crash may have been averted," said a senior civic official. Officials added that the building owner can be prosecuted if found guilty.  INSPECTION HOUR  The BMC notice asks owners of buildings that are over 30 years old to undertake structural audit Inspection reports must be submitted to local ward offices in 30 days Rectification must in six months or action likely There are 950 dilapidated buildings in the city; 90 are 'extremely dangerous'