Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 27: Residents of Mumbai's old pagadi buildings face another delay in the legal battle over redevelopment and safety after the Supreme Court deferred the hearing on whether the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) is competent to issue notices under Section 79A to dilapidated cessed structures.

The hearing has now been scheduled for September 10 after lawyers representing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sought an adjournment a day before the matter was due to be heard.

The delay has caused concern among residents living in ageing and unsafe buildings, many of whom are awaiting clarity on the authority responsible for initiating action under Section 79A.

According to residents, MHADA has identified more than 13,000 old and dilapidated cessed buildings in Mumbai that require redevelopment. More than 900 buildings that had already received Section 79A notices from MHADA are reportedly affected by the ongoing legal dispute.

Residents said the prolonged proceedings were particularly worrying as some of the buildings had already witnessed incidents involving falling slabs and ceilings.

Banoshri Shah, a resident who suffered a leg injury last year after part of a ceiling fell on her while she was cooking, questioned the need for the latest adjournment. She said a recent decision by the Maharashtra government recognising MHADA as the competent authority to issue Section 79A notices had provided relief to residents of dangerous buildings.

Pagadi activist Jitendra Ghadge also criticised the adjournment, saying thousands of residents were anxiously awaiting the Supreme Court's decision following amendments to Section 79A of the MHADA Act.

Ghadge said every day was important for residents of dilapidated structures and noted that a building had recently collapsed in Malabar Hill. He said he had complained to the BMC Commissioner seeking an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the adjournment.

Residents are now hoping that the Supreme Court will take up the matter on September 10 and provide clarity on MHADA's powers, paving the way for action on unsafe cessed buildings across Mumbai.