Urgent Redevelopment Warning: LIC-Owned Buildings in Mumbai Deemed Dangerous, MHADA Initiates Action

Mumbai, 28th December 2023: Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)-owned structures in Mumbai, comprising 68 buildings with a total of 1764 residents, have been labelled as dangerous and in need of immediate redevelopment by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA). The ageing buildings, located in South and Central Mumbai, are over 50 years old and have deteriorated to a point of unsafety, prompting MHADA to take swift action under Section 79(A) of the MHADA Act.

While these structures have not yet been officially declared dangerous, MHADA has clarified that action will be taken if redevelopment is not initiated promptly. The LIC-owned buildings house 815 residents and 949 non-residents. Over the years, these structures, paying cess to MHADA, have undergone repairs by the Mumbai Building Repairs & Reconstruction Board (MBRRB). However, the current condition of the buildings necessitates comprehensive redevelopment.

The process to invoke Section 79(A) began in October when MHADA Vice President Sanjiv Jaiswal sent a letter to the Chairman and Executive Director of LIC, urging them to submit a redevelopment proposal promptly. With no response received, a subsequent letter was sent this month, reiterating the urgency of the matter. If LIC fails to submit a proposal within six months of receiving the notice under Section 79(A), MHADA will extend the opportunity to the residents’ cooperative housing society to present a redevelopment plan. Failing that, MHADA retains the authority to acquire the plot and undertake redevelopment.

The breakdown of the buildings is as follows:
– Fort (A) – 39 buildings (849 occupants)
– Girgaon (D) – 18 buildings (503 occupants)
– Matunga (F North) – 3 buildings (116 occupants)
– Dadar (F South & C North) – 8 buildings (296 occupants)