Residents of cessed buildings hang on for dear life

MUMBAI: The terror attacks in Mumbai, followed by political uncertainty, has left thousands of residents in the city���s over-16,000 cessed buildings longing for better housing.

Though the state���s decision in 2006 to redevelop old buildings (which has been embroiled in controversy), has received the Supreme Court���s approval, the government seems to be in no hurry. The events of 26/11 and the subsequent political crisis have only delayed the process.

The redevelopment of these buildings now await chief minister Ashok Chavan���s approval. Residents of the the dilapidated buildings will, till then, have to live in constant fear of collapse. At least 5,000 out of the total 16,000 buildings are over a 100 years old. Cessed properties refer to those that were constructed prior to 1960. The government collects cess from the residents of these buildings.

Mumbai Buildings Repair and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB) chief officer Tanaji Satre refused to elaborate on the delay. ���According to the rule, the owner, tenants, and the builder of a particular building should all come to us together with the redevelopment proposal. We have got quite a few proposals and are looking into them,��� he said.

The MBRRB had planned to redevelop old and dilapidated buildings two years ago, but the project never took off because of the builders��� demand for extra floor space index.

Many residents, on the other hand, were against higher FSI, saying this might raise the buildings to dangerous heights.
The Supreme Court, on September 5, ruled against the November 2006 Bombay High Court directive restricting the redevelopment of cessed property in Mumbai.

The apex court set aside the HC order and waived all HC-imposed restrictions. Among these were compulsory open space, MHADA certification and approvals from new committees.

The high court had restricted the redevelopment of old buildings. This was after residents filed petitions objecting to the construction of buildings that were less than two metres of each other.