The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has issued an advisory urging residents and housing societies to conduct structural audits of ageing buildings and follow prescribed safety norms, particularly ahead of the monsoon season.
Survey and classification of buildings
As part of its annual exercise, the civic body conducts surveys of existing buildings and classifies them based on their structural condition under provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act. Buildings identified as highly dangerous are categorised accordingly, and in the case of C-1 category structures, notices are issued to housing societies for evacuation as per court directives.
Audit mandatory for older buildings
Under Section 265(A) of the Act, buildings that are more than 30 years old are required to undergo a structural audit by a municipal-registered structural engineer within a stipulated period.
Additionally, as per model by-laws under the Cooperative Housing Societies Act, buildings aged between 15 and 30 years must undergo a structural audit at least once every five years, while those older than 30 years must be audited at least once every three years.
Concerns over unsafe repair works
The civic body has also flagged concerns over recent incidents where internal alterations, including flooring changes and repairs to RCC columns and beams, have led to structural failures, including slab collapses.
Permissions and supervision required
Authorities have stated that any structural repair or strengthening work, whether internal or external, must be carried out only after obtaining necessary permissions where applicable and under the supervision of a structural engineer registered with the municipal corporation.
Even in cases where prior permission is not mandatory under existing regulations, such work should still be undertaken under expert supervision and with prior intimation to the housing society.
Liability and accountability
The civic body has cautioned that in the event of any mishap arising from unauthorised or unsafe alterations, responsibility may extend to the flat owner as well as the managing committee of the housing society.
Appeal to citizens
NMMC has appealed to residents, building owners and housing societies to adhere to safety guidelines and take necessary precautions to prevent accidents, particularly during the monsoon period.
