MHADA Cuts Water, Power to 86 Dangerous Buildings in South Mumbai

The Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction board (MBRRB) of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has decided to disconnect water and electricity supply to 86 dangerous cessed buildings in South Mumbai. This decision comes after 2,736 tenants and occupants refused to vacate the buildings despite repeated appeals and rehabilitation options.

The buildings in question were identified as highly dangerous in MHADA's annual pre-monsoon structural survey. The survey found that the buildings are occupied by around 2,256 residential tenants and 480 non-residential occupants. To protect the lives of residents, MHADA had offered multiple rehabilitation alternatives, including monthly rent assistance of Rs 20,000 to enable them to arrange alternate accommodation.

However, many residents have refused to shift to MHADA's transit camps, citing concerns that the alternative accommodation is located far from their existing homes. This, they believe, would disrupt their children's education and significantly increase their daily commuting time. According to Rupesh Raut, Resident Executive Engineer, Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board, around 700 transit tenements are currently available across Mumbai, including 300 tenements in South Mumbai.

Despite the risks posed by heavy rainfall and the deteriorating structural condition of the buildings, many residents are insisting on alternative accommodation only in nearby localities. As a result, MHADA has written to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to disconnect water supply and to BEST to cut electricity connections to these buildings.

In an effort to relocate residents to safer locations, MHADA has also carried out propping of these dangerous buildings to strengthen their structural stability and minimise the risk of any untoward incidents during the monsoon. Over 30 tenants and residents have shifted to MHADA's transit camps, while some occupants have made their own alternative accommodation arrangements.

The decision to disconnect water and electricity supply is a last resort, aimed at protecting the lives of residents living in these highly dangerous buildings. MHADA hopes that this measure will prompt the remaining occupants to vacate the buildings and take up the rehabilitation options offered.

The situation highlights the challenges faced by MHADA in its efforts to rehabilitate residents living in dangerous cessed buildings in South Mumbai. The authority is working to provide safe and secure accommodation to all residents, while also ensuring that the buildings are repaired and reconstructed to prevent any accidents or injuries.

In the meantime, the occupants of these buildings are advised to take necessary precautions and make arrangements for alternative accommodation. The disconnection of water and electricity supply is expected to take place soon, and residents are urged to cooperate with MHADA's efforts to ensure their safety.

The issue of dangerous cessed buildings in South Mumbai is a long-standing one, and MHADA's efforts to address it are ongoing. The authority is working to identify and repair or reconstruct all dangerous buildings in the area, and to provide safe and secure accommodation to all residents. This is a complex and challenging task, but one that is essential to protecting the lives and safety of residents living in these buildings.

In conclusion, the decision by MHADA to disconnect water and electricity supply to 86 dangerous cessed buildings in South Mumbai is a necessary measure to protect the lives of residents living in these buildings. The authority is working to provide safe and secure accommodation to all residents, and to ensure that the buildings are repaired and reconstructed to prevent any accidents or injuries.