Ishika Kumar, Pune
On 4th August 2024, in Pimpri Chinchwad, a mandate stating that all residential and commercial buildings which are older than 30 years have to go through an audit was passed by PCMC(Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation).
As per the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act 265 (A) and the State Government notification, this is to ensure the safety and habitable condition of these old structures due to which this initiative has been identified as the need of the hour. “Owners, heirs and other occupants of buildings which are 30 years old or more must get themselves a structural stability certificate from a licensed structural engineer within a month and this certificate should be renewed every ten years” said City Engineer Makarand Nikam. The entire cost of the audit has to be borne by the property owners.
There are 630,000 registered properties with 10% to 15% aging more than 30 years old in PCMC. All the structural engineers responsible for these audits should possess a valid PCMC license, The license issued remains valid for three years for which the engineers should apply with all the documents costing a fee of Rs 1,000. The Engineers are required to meet the eligibility criteria including a degree in Civil Engineering from a recognized institution with at least three years of field experience. T
he experience requirements may be adjusted for those with advanced degrees. A complete list of all the required documents is available at PCMC’s official website and the City Engineer’s office for the licensing process. The City Engineer Makarand reiterates that “Owners failing to conduct the structural audit will be denied redevelopment permissions by the PCMC” which implies that Non-compliance with this mandate carries significant repercussions such as fines will be imposed when these owners approach PCMC for redevelopment.
Around 150 buildings have been identified as in dire need of repair, demolition or evacuation by the civic authorities. To identify, address and mitigate potential hazards in ageing buildings with the aim of preventing accidents and ensuring public safety this structural audit is a very critical process. A qualitative assessment will done by the licensed engineers to inspect the structural accuracy of buildings, adhering to the rules set by the PCMC to issue the stability certificate.
The Commissioner and Administrator in PCMC Mr Shekhar Singh has the authority to approve or reject the applications for engineer licenses. It ensures that only qualified professionals undertake these key assessments. PCMC aims to foster a culture of safety and accountability among property owners in Pimpri-Chinchwad’s urban landscape. They are urged to comply promptly with these regulations to avoid penalties and contribute towards a safer community.