State to amend BMC Act for citys makeover
Mumbai: In a bid to make the city look more neat and tidy, the state will amend the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Act and make it mandatory for tenants as well as owners to maintain the facade of buildings. The BMC will have zones and different specifications for each area.
A decision to amend the BMC Act was taken in the cabinet meet on Thursday and changes will be implemented by way of ordinance to be promulgated by governor S C Jamir.
The state also said cracks on the exterior of a house should be filled up and TV cables as well as apparatus of the cable networks must not hang out. The walls must be painted well.
The civic body will be empowered to issue notices to buildings with an ugly facade and they will have to repair it in 30 days. If the society or the owner fails to repair and re-paint the exterior, then the civic body would do it and would ask them to pay for it. Any delay in payment would result in a penalty at 2% per month.
However, the state has spared the slums that are votebanks of political parties. Though slums spoil the citys ambience, we cannot punish them until the people are rehabilitated, said a government officer. In Mhada, BMC and state-owned buildings, the owners must maintain the property and the tenants can be penalised if they are found responsible for any damage.
According to the amendment, the civic chief can notify a zone to ensure the maintenance of a buildings. We will also invite suggestions and objections from the residents and disputes can be filed at the small causes court.
Conservation architect Abha N Lambah said, Its high time this amendment was made. At Marine Drive, the costs of real estate are phenomenal but the buildings have not been painted for years.