Five collapses in two months have startled those connected with the construction world. Many are now asking for relaxation in the stringent redevelopment laws that they claim are behind the collapse of many buildings.
Presently, only those dilapidated buildings that are approved for reconstruction by a three-member panel of civil and structural engineers can be reconstructed.
The government had earlier decided to grant additional Floor Space Index (FSI) as an incentive to builders who reconstruct dilapidated buildings in the city.
However, on October 27, 2004, a division bench of Chief Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Dhananjay Chandrachud directed the government not to grant additional FSI other than the basic FSI.
Said Dr SS Rao, Chief Engineer, Building Proposal Department of the BMC, Many reconstruction proposals are delayed due to a delay in seeking approval from the panel members.
There have been occasions when there were two points of opinions about a structure among panel members.
Also, they only manifest the structure outwardly. No chemical (non-destructive) analysis is done. Like Sadaf Manzil at times it is difficult to pinpoint structural faults merely through a visual inspection.
Rao suggested that all structures, 60-plus in age, must be given a single window clearance for reconstruction. Subodh Mantri, managing director of Mantri Group of Companies agreed.
Citing Singapores case, where all public housing structures that are 15 years of age are demolished and reconstructed, Mantri called for a maximum lifeline to be set for structures in the city.
Just like you and I have fixed lifelines, its the same way with buildings, he said. He also vouched for a single window clearance and supported a revoke in the Rent Control Act, 1940, stating that it was the need of the hour.
The age-old laws (in place since 1940) are impractical. Landlords stand no chance of earning money from their properties in the existing scenario. If a person is getting Rs 10 as monthly rent from a tenant, do you expect him to spend Rs 1,000 on its repairs? he said.
Mantri said that he pities Sadaf Manzil landlord Baba Qureshi, who was arrested.
What could he have done? Ultimately, it is economics. Why would you invest in renovating something that is giving you nothing in return?
Either the landlords must be allowed to encash their property or be offered additional FSIs for redevelopment, said Mantri. Noted architect Jitendra Mehta seconded his viewpoint.
| 
