17 May,2025 06:52 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Eknath Shinde called for enhanced coordination between the Railways and municipal corporations in Thane district to ensure effective drainage management and mandated comprehensive tree pruning. File pic
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) and Thane District Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde has directed all the agencies concerned to prioritise public safety and complete essential preparations, including the removal of hazardous hoardings and cleaning of drains, before the monsoon season begins, news agency PTI reported.
Speaking at a review meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority on Friday, Shinde emphasised that the development of common citizens remains the state government's top priority.
Key directives by Deputy CM Shinde included drain cleaning, structural audits, removal of dangerous hoardings, rapid pothole repairs, and securing open manholes, reported PTI.
He also called for enhanced coordination between the Railways and municipal corporations in Thane district to ensure effective drainage management and mandated comprehensive tree pruning.
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Special attention was given to addressing the condition of dilapidated schools, preparations for temporary shelters, and alternative plans for flood-prone villages, an official release on Saturday stated.
Further, Shinde stressed the importance of measures to prevent waterlogging in low-lying areas and the readiness of volunteer teams, including swimmers, reported PTI. He also directed that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Thane and Kalyan remain stationed in the district until September.
In preparation for the upcoming monsoon season, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared 134 buildings in Mumbai as dilapidated this year, a notable decrease compared to previous years.
Of these 134 unsafe structures, 57 have already been vacated, while 77 remain occupied. Civic officials noted that around 56 of these buildings are currently involved in ongoing legal proceedings.
In 2023, 387 buildings were deemed dilapidated, while the number dropped to 188 in 2024. Civic officials credit the decline to more buildings being vacated and demolished over recent years.
In its 2025 survey, the BMC has identified a total of 134 C1 category buildings across Mumbai that are deemed unsafe and unfit for habitation. The highest number of such dilapidated structures - 15 each - have been reported in H/West ward (Bandra, Khar West) and P/South ward (Goregaon). These are followed by 11 buildings each in K/E ward (Andheri East) and N ward (Ghatkopar), 10 in K/West (Andheri West), and 7 buildings each in H/E (Chembur) and P/North (Malad).
Other wards like R/South (Kandivali West) have 8 buildings, while G/N (Dadar-Matunga) and L ward (Kurla) have 6 each. Wards such as A, B, D, F/N, M/W, and S report between 3 to 6 unsafe buildings, whereas C, E, M/E, and T wards have only 1 to 2 such structures. Notably, F/S (F South) and R/C (R Central) wards have no buildings marked under the C1 category this year.
To prevent casualties and injuries ahead of the monsoon, BMC identifies and lists C1 category buildings, those deemed unfit for habitation and requiring immediate evacuation and demolition. Most of these structures are over 30 years old. Once declared C1, the civic body issues notices, giving residents 15 days to vacate.
(With PTI inputs)
