Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has issued a public appeal to housing societies, property owners, and occupants to conduct mandatory structural audits of all buildings that are over 30 years old, in an effort to prevent accidents and ensure public safety.
As part of its 2024–25 annual survey, NMMC has identified 527 buildings as dangerous under Section 264 of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act. These structures pose potential risks to life and property, prompting the civic body to intensify enforcement of structural audit norms.
Under Section 265(A) of the Act, it is mandatory for buildings that have completed 30 years since occupancy or partial/full use to be audited by a licensed structural engineer registered with NMMC.
“The audit report, along with a certificate declaring the structure safe and confirming completion of any suggested repairs, must be submitted to the civic body,” said an official from NMMC.
The civic body has warned that failure to comply may attract a penalty of Rs 25,000 or an amount equivalent to the building’s annual property tax—whichever is higher, as per Section 398(A) of the Act.
To facilitate compliance, NMMC has published a list of registered structural engineers on its official website www.nmmc.gov.in. The deadline for completing the structural audit and submitting reports is September 30. Reports are to be submitted to the Assistant Commissioner or Assistant Director of Town Planning of the respective ward.
NMMC has also cautioned residents against occupying or using buildings that have been declared unsafe. "Continuing to live in or use these dangerous structures can result in loss of life and property. In such unfortunate incidents, the responsibility will lie entirely with the concerned occupants or owners," the civic body stated.
The municipal corporation is urging citizens to take this directive seriously and ensure structural safety to avoid preventable tragedies.
