Concerned over the growing menace of leaking roofs and walls, a resident group in Navi Mumbai have called on the state government to initiate a mandatory safety audit of all buildings, including residential complexes, commercial establishments, and market areas.
The citizen's group ‘Human Chain’ has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging immediate action to safeguard lives and properties. They have also requested the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) to examine tenant rights, which it currently does not, according to Human Chain convenor B.N. Kumar.
“The tragedy is, even during the monsoon months, many buildings leak continuously—beating Cherrapunji’s rainfall records,” Kumar said. He highlighted poor construction practices such as using substandard materials, including sand, and curing buildings with sewage water, as major contributors to the problem. Lack of regular maintenance further aggravates the situation.
The leaking condition of the audited buildings | File
For many residents, leaking ceilings are more than just an inconvenience—they are a threat to life and property. Ranjana Vishnu Waghchoure, a senior citizen working as a maid, has been battling a leaking ceiling in her Kopar Khairane flat for months. The cause, she says, is overflowing water from plastic tanks on the terrace. “Who will save us if there is a short circuit?” she asked. Despite approaching municipal ward officials, she received little support and struggled to get her fellow residents involved.
Similar concerns were echoed by activist Madhu Shankar, a tenant in a Vashi sector-28 building, who reported constant water leaks damaging kitchen appliances and groceries. “Our landlord is only interested in the rent,” she said. After repeated complaints, her landlord asked her to vacate the flat before the agreement expired. Matters escalated when a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) worker, allegedly sent by the landlord, tried to pressure her to leave.
“I advised them to go by the agreement and not make such threats,” Kumar said. Shankar criticized political groups for ignoring genuine issues like building safety. “They should focus on fixing real problems like these instead of flexing muscle power,” she said.
With municipal elections around the corner, Kumar urged residents to show leaking walls and ceilings to politicians seeking votes and demand accountability.
Realty consultant Naresh Shah noted that poor construction is not a new issue in Navi Mumbai, often called the ‘City of the 21st Century.’ Shah recalled that JN-1 and JN-2 housing schemes developed leaks within no time, with an IIT report even stating these buildings were unfit for human habitation. He added that cutting corners in construction quality to save costs is a growing trend, further endangering residents.
