The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) is intensifying its safety initiatives with a decision to carry out a citywide structural audit of every cessed building in Mumbai ahead of the 2026 monsoon season. The move represents a notable expansion from earlier years, when only select buildings underwent detailed technical inspections.
Understanding Cessed Buildings
Cessed buildings fall under the purview of the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB), a wing of MHADA. These structures are typically over eight decades old and are located largely in the older pockets of the city. Years of wear and tear, inadequate upkeep, and repeated exposure to harsh monsoons have increased the vulnerability of many such buildings, making them structurally fragile.
Reason Behind the Expanded Audit Drive
Historically, MHADA undertook detailed audits only for a limited number of cessed properties, while others were reviewed through basic visual inspections. However, recurring instances of partial or complete building collapses during monsoon months have underscored the need for a thorough assessment mechanism.
The upcoming audit will cover all 13,091 cessed buildings in Mumbai. The objective is to identify high-risk structures early, avert accidents, and safeguard residents and surrounding properties. This initiative is part of a larger strategy that also promotes redevelopment of dilapidated and hazardous buildings.
Insights From Past Audit Exercises
Before the 2025 monsoon, MHADA conducted detailed structural audits for nearly 1,000 cessed buildings. Following this exercise, 96 buildings were declared unfit and extremely dangerous. Many other buildings assessed only through visual checks may not have been fully evaluated. The planned citywide audit is expected to provide more accurate and comprehensive condition reports.
Execution Plan and Timelines
Once the Model Code of Conduct concludes, MHADA will invite tenders to appoint qualified structural consultants. About four specialized agencies are expected to be engaged to finish the audit within two to three months. Buildings already showing significant deterioration will be audited on priority.
The project is estimated to cost around ₹40 crore, with the per-building audit expense reaching up to ₹90,000, depending on size and number of occupants. Authorities anticipate that the number of buildings classified as dangerous may rise considerably after the assessment.
Implications for Redevelopment
MHADA has consistently encouraged tenants and property owners to undertake redevelopment of unsafe cessed structures. The authority has also begun exercising its rights to acquire redevelopment control in certain cases. Several buildings—especially in south Mumbai—have already received notices due to severe risk conditions. While some projects faced delays owing to legal hurdles, redevelopment is now permitted subject to majority consent, paving the way for faster progress.
Summary
MHADA will conduct a comprehensive structural audit of all 13,091 cessed buildings in Mumbai before the 2026 monsoon to enhance public safety. This initiative follows repeated building collapses and earlier audits that found several structures to be dangerous. The ₹40-crore project will involve multiple structural consultants, prioritise severely damaged buildings, and is expected to significantly increase the number of buildings declared unsafe, thereby accelerating redevelopment efforts across the city.
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