BMC Approves OC Amnesty Scheme for Mumbai Buildings

Mumbai's BMC General Body has approved the OC Amnesty Scheme, a policy aimed at regularising buildings that lack an Occupation Certificate (OC) but are already occupied by flat owners. The scheme was approved on Tuesday night, despite concerns from Opposition corporators who warned that it could benefit developers who failed to secure OCs.

The OC Amnesty Scheme was first announced by Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar in 2025 and is expected to benefit over 20,000 buildings in Mumbai that currently lack an Occupation Certificate. The scheme will apply to buildings measuring up to 80 sq m (816 sq ft) in buildings constructed between 1991 and November 2016, and will not be limited to residential buildings. Schools and hospitals will also be eligible.

Corporators from across the political spectrum backed the proposal, but several flagged loopholes and unanswered questions in the policy. BJP corporator Pravin Chedha questioned how flat owners would obtain NOCs from developers who have already disappeared without obtaining the OC. Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Sachin Padwal pointed out that the policy was unclear on whether OCs would be granted to buildings without fire-fighting systems or with unauthorised floors.

Despite these concerns, Leader of the House Ganesh Khankar sought to allay fears, making it clear that there would be no compromise on fire-safety norms or unauthorised floors while granting OCs. Mayor Ritu Tawde approved the OC Amnesty Scheme, which is expected to provide relief to thousands of Mumbaikars who are currently living in buildings without OCs.

The approval of the OC Amnesty Scheme is a significant development for Mumbai's real estate sector, which has been plagued by issues related to OCs and building regularisation. The scheme is expected to provide a much-needed relief to flat owners who have been caught in the developers' lapses.

The BMC's decision to approve the OC Amnesty Scheme has been welcomed by many, who see it as a positive step towards regularising Mumbai's real estate sector. However, others have expressed concerns that the scheme could benefit developers who have failed to comply with building regulations.

In a separate development, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has proposed a Rs 28,000-crore transformation plan to revive its finances and modernise its transport infrastructure. The plan, which was approved by the BEST committee, involves redeveloping 22 bus depots across Mumbai.

The approval of the OC Amnesty Scheme and the proposed transformation plan for BEST are significant developments for Mumbai, and are expected to have a major impact on the city's real estate sector and transport infrastructure.

The OC Amnesty Scheme is a major step towards regularising Mumbai's real estate sector, and is expected to provide relief to thousands of Mumbaikars who are currently living in buildings without OCs. However, it remains to be seen how the scheme will be implemented, and whether it will achieve its intended objectives.

In conclusion, the approval of the OC Amnesty Scheme is a significant development for Mumbai, and is expected to have a major impact on the city's real estate sector. While there are concerns about the scheme's implementation, it is clear that it has the potential to provide relief to thousands of Mumbaikars who are currently living in buildings without OCs.