Thane: Twenty-two families living in a Mumbra building have been asked to evacuate within 24 hours after a portion of its slab collapsed on Saturday evening, exposing serious structural defects, civic officials said on Sunday.No injuries were reported in the incident in one of the rooms of the ground-plus-five-storey Dhoom Apartment near Sania Hall in Chand Nagar, Kausa, Mumbra.“The nearly 20-year-old building has been classified as a Category C-1 structure, indicating it is in an extremely dangerous condition. Following the slab collapse, cracks were also found in the building’s columns, raising concerns about its structural stability,” said Deepak Zinjad, deputy municipal commissioner, Zone 1.The building has 42 occupied flats, housing around 170 residents. Notices have been issued directing occupants to vacate the premises within 24 hours.The incident, coming soon after the recent Bhiwandi building collapse, has renewed concerns over dangerous structures across the Thane Municipal Corporation limits. Officials said 43 of the city’s 93 buildings classified as dangerous continue to remain occupied despite repeated notices and appeals to residents.Municipal commissioner Saurabh Rao said teams would undertake fresh inspections of old and dilapidated buildings, intensify monitoring, and conduct awareness drives to help residents identify structural warning signs and promptly alert authorities.“Residents of unsafe buildings will be informed about the risks, and such structures will be vacated and demolished on priority,” Rao said.Officials said evacuation notices are being issued under Section 264 of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act in accordance with state guidelines for dangerous buildings. Authorities are documenting the carpet area occupied by tenants and flat owners before issuing certificates to safeguard their rehabilitation claims.Temporary accommodation is being provided at municipal shelters. However, officials warned that essential services, including water and electricity, may be disconnected if residents refuse to vacate unsafe buildings despite repeated notices.
