BNCMC reviews unsafe structures, warns locals

BHIWANDI: In the wake of the recent Mahad building collapse, the Bhiwandi-nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC) conducted a review meeting on the status of dangerous buildings in its jurisdiction on Saturday.

On August 24, a five-storey residential building collapsed in a residential area of Mahad in Raigad district, killing 16 people and injuring nine others.

“Following the Mahad building collapse, the civic body has decided to make sure all the extremely dangerous buildings in Bhiwandi limits are vacated, and no residents are occupying them. A review meeting was held to check on such unsafe buildings, and needful action will be taken,” said Pankaj Ashiya, commissioner, BNCMC.

“It is our request to residents to not occupy extremely-dangerous structures and to move out quickly if they are living in one. Also, we have warned people not to buy properties in illegal constructions,” said Ashiya.

In the C1 category, which comprises extremely dangerous buildings, 25 structures have been identified, of which six have been demolished. Work to vacate the remaining structures and raze them is underway. Water and power supply to these structures have already been cut off.

The civic body has identified 82 structures in the C2 category (dangerous buildings), of which 77 have been vacated while three structures are under litigation. The remaining two will be reviewed soon.

“Some properties should be repaired immediately. Notices have been issued to around 222 such structures,” said Ashiya.