Navi Mumbai Declares 513 Buildings Unsafe, Urges Structural Audits For 30-Year-Old Structures

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has identified 513 buildings as unsafe following a recent survey and has appealed to residents of ageing structures to conduct mandatory structural audits before March 2026. The move comes as part of the civic body’s efforts to prevent building collapses and enhance structural safety in one of the region’s fastest-growing urban zones.

Under Section 265(A) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, all buildings over 30 years old must undergo a structural audit by a licensed civil or structural engineer registered with the NMMC. The age of a building is determined from the date of its occupancy certificate, whether full or partial. Officials emphasised that audits are essential to determine the current condition of structures, many of which were built in the city’s early phases of development. According to civic officials, the corporation has made the list of registered structural engineers available on its official website. Once an audit is completed, residents or housing societies must submit a certificate confirming that the repair works recommended by the engineer have been completed and that the structure is safe for continued use.

Failure to comply could result in penalties. Under Section 398(A) of the Act, owners or occupants who evade the audit requirement face fines of ₹25,000 or an amount equivalent to their annual property tax, whichever is higher. NMMC officials added that strict enforcement would follow if residents fail to respond before the March 2026 deadline. “Living in a structurally dangerous building is not just risky—it’s life-threatening. We urge citizens to vacate or repair unsafe structures immediately,” said a senior civic official, warning that the administration will not bear responsibility in case of accidents involving uninspected buildings.

The civic body has also directed assistant commissioners and departmental officers to oversee audit submissions and ensure compliance. Experts in urban safety said the initiative reflects the growing concern over ageing housing stock across Navi Mumbai’s older nodes such as Vashi, Nerul, and CBD Belapur. Many of these areas were among the city’s first planned developments and now face challenges of structural fatigue, corrosion, and poor maintenance. Urban planners have welcomed NMMC’s move, calling it a step toward building a safer, more resilient city. They also suggested that periodic audits be integrated into a long-term sustainable housing strategy, promoting retrofitting and green redevelopment instead of reactive demolition drives.

With more than 500 buildings already flagged and a deadline in place, the onus now lies on residents and housing societies to take proactive steps to safeguard lives and property.

Navi Mumbai Declares 513 Buildings Unsafe, Urges Structural Audits For 30-Year-Old Structures