Thane struggles to evacuate residents

66 dangerous and extremely dangerous buildings in Thane are still occupied; officials to forcefully shift tenants from unsafe structures

More than 16 people have died in two building collapses in this month in Bhiwandi.

Thane city, which is grappling with illegal constructions, has 86 families living in unsafe buildings. Though the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has served notices to residents, most have refused to move out of such buildings. There are around 66 dangerous and extremely dangerous buildings which are occupied.

The municipal corporation has vacated around 128 buildings since May using police force. It has failed to evacuate 66 buildings, out of which 42 are in Naupada.

An officer, requesting anonymity, said, “Out of these 66 buildings, 22 are from C1 category (extremely dangerous and has to be demolished) and 44 in C2A (dangerous and to be evacuated and then repaired). The greatest threat looms over Naupada where 86 families live in dangerous buildings.”

In the last 10 days, two buildings collapsed in Bhiwandi, killing 16 people and injuring many. The buildings had been issued evacuation notices but the residents had refused to move out.

There were 149 building in C 2A category and 90 in C1 category as per the fresh survey by the TMC in April and May. Out of these, 72 buildings from C2A and 56 from C 1 have been evacuated.

“Over 86 families live in 17 buildings in C1 category and 25 in C2 A. Most of these buildings are stuck owing to the conflict between tenants, owners and developers. After the collapse of Krishna Niwas last year, we passed a resolution which safeguards the rights of the tenants,” the officer added.

Out of the 128 buildings evacuated, only 32 have been demolished. The building in C2 A can be demolished only after the structural audit of the building is submitted. Sunil Chavan, additional municipal commissioner, said, “We will make it mandatory for residents to vacate all dangerous buildings. If residents don’t vacate, we will forcefully shift them.” Khan Building LBS Road is one of the dilapidated structures in Thane which is occupied by residents.