Mandatory structural audits enforced as NMMC tightens safety norms for ageing structures.

Navi Mumbai Civic Body Flags 500 Buildings as Unsafe, Issues Vacate Notices

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has declared over 500 buildings within its jurisdiction as unsafe and issued vacate notices to residents, following a department-wise structural survey. The action, taken under Sections 264 and 265(A) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, is in line with the directions of the Bombay High Court. Buildings categorised as C-1 (dangerous) have been deemed unfit for human habitation in their current condition. NMMC has directed cooperative housing societies to immediately vacate such structures and conduct mandatory structural audits for buildings over 30 years old. These audits must be carried out by civic body–registered structural engineers and repeated periodically, depending on the building’s age and life expectancy. The civic body also warned against unapproved internal renovations, citing recent incidents of slab and beam collapses during repair work. It clarified that permissions are mandatory for certain repairs, and all work—whether requiring approval or not—must be supervised by a registered structural engineer. NMMC said housing societies and individual flat owners will be held accountable for any future accidents, urging residents to prioritise safety and compliance across Navi Mumbai.