MHADA to audit all 13k cessed buildings in Mumbai

Mhada Plans Structural Audit of Cessed Buildings in Mumbai

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) plans to conduct a structural audit of all 13,091 cessed buildings in the city before the 2026 monsoon, sources in the housing authority told Hindustan Times.

“We usually survey only a fraction of the cessed buildings before issuing a list of dangerous and dilapidated buildings ahead of every monsoon. But this year, we are hoping to survey all the cessed buildings,” said a Mhada official, who requested anonymity.

The decision comes as the housing authority urges landowners and tenants of cessed buildings to redevelop their structures. Mhada is also starting measures to acquire redevelopment rights.

Details of Cessed Buildings

All cessed buildings in the city fall under the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board (MBRRB) under Mhada. Many buildings are at least eight decades old. Some buildings collapse partially or entirely every monsoon, leading to injuries and fatalities.

Ahead of the 2025 monsoon, officials from the reconstruction board conducted a structural audit of around 1,000 cessed buildings. Other buildings received visual inspections. In May 2025, 96 buildings were deemed too dangerous to reside in, according to officials.

Upcoming Structural Audit

“Once the model code of conduct ceases later this month, the MBRRB will float bids to appoint structural consultants to survey all cessed buildings,” said the official mentioned earlier.

Four separate agencies are likely to be involved in conducting structural audits of the 13,091 cessed buildings over 2-3 months, the official noted.

Cost and Prioritization

Mhada estimates that the audit will cost around ₹40 crore, or up to ₹90,000 per cessed building, depending on size and number of tenements. Structures that are already in poor condition will be prioritized, officials said. After the audit, the number of dangerous and extremely dangerous buildings may increase significantly from the current 96, officials added.

Legal Challenges

In 2024, Mhada issued notices to 935 “dangerous and dilapidated” buildings in upmarket south Mumbai areas, such as Banganga Road, Walkeshwar, Gamdevi Road, BG Kher Marg, and Nepean Sea Road. Some residents from these buildings challenged the redevelopment notices in the Bombay High Court. The court stayed the redevelopment under section 79 (A) of the Mhada Act, which allows the authority to redevelop such buildings. However, the stay was lifted in December, subject to the consent of 51% of landowners and tenants for redevelopment.