Mumbai: The BMC has raised serious concerns over procedural lapses in action taken against dangerous (C-1 category) buildings, warning its ward-level officials of disciplinary and legal consequences for noncompliance with laid-down norms.In a detailed circular issued on April 2 by additional municipal commissioner (city) Dr Ashwini Joshi, it stated that ward offices are failing to adhere to the standard operating procedure (SOP) mandated under earlier civic directives and Bombay high court orders in connection with dilapidated structures.The SOP, first laid down through a 2016 circular following directions in a High Court petition, requires all action against unauthorised constructions and dangerous buildings to be recorded on the encroachment eradication monitoring and management system (RETMS) — a centralised digital platform introduced to ensure transparency and accountability. The need for a fresh circular was felt following lapses in the case of a dilapidated building in Mumbai’s Prabhadevi area, said Joshi. “Here we found that the procedure wasn’t followed and hence a need was felt to issue a circular reiterating the guidelines,” she told TOI.The BMC also flagged irregularities in the implementation of Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034, particularly Rule 33(7)(a), which governs redevelopment of old, dilapidated and tenant-occupied buildings. The rule outlines the process for determining tenant eligibility and permissible built-up area during reconstruction or redevelopment.According to the circular, officers, developers and architects have, in several cases, failed to follow guidelines issued in 2018 and 2020 regarding verification of occupied areas, documentation and certification processes. The fresh circular warns that bypassing due scrutiny while processing area certificates and related documents could result in financial losses to the municipal corporation.“Processing redevelopment-related documents without following the prescribed procedure is leading to revenue implications for the corporation,” the circular stated.The civic body has now directed all assistant commissioners and designated officers across wards to strictly comply with SOPs and ensure that every step — from issuing notices to taking enforcement action — is duly recorded on the RETMS platform.It has also made it clear that any deviation from the rules will attract accountability. “Concerned officers, as well as developers and architects involved in such violations, will face appropriate disciplinary and legal action,” the circular warned.
