BMC lists dilapidated buildings, washes hands of any accident

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday notified 26 buildings in the metropolis as dilapidated or crumbling, and absolved itself of any responsibility should an accident occur to them in future.

Terming these buildings, which are in varying states of disrepair, "extremely dangerous", the BMC urged their residents to immediately vacate and move out as they could "collapse anytime".

The warning comes barely a fortnight or so before the monsoon sets in over the city.

These buildings, owned by the BMC itself -- Asia's richest civic body -- are occupied by hundreds of people, mostly its staff.

"In case these buildings collapse, the BMC shall not be responsible for any loss of lives or property," the civic corporation said in a terse communication.

The BMC said the residents had been warned several times in the past to leave and thus facilitate the demolition of the crumbling structures, which are mostly located in the congested areas of south Mumbai.

BMC officials said they could not provide the exact number of people living in these buildings. They said residents may not be entitled to compensation or alternate accommodation from the BMC in case of any accident.

Annually, the monsoon season leads to collapse of dilapidated buildings in the city and resultant loss of lives and property in the vast metropolis.

Meanwhile, the BMC plans to release another list of more such dangerous buildings that are privately owned or on government and collector land or on land belonging to other agencies and the central government.

--IANS

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