Owners of dilapidated buildings apply to KMC for renovation with rehabilitation of tenants

Kolkata: Hundreds of owners of old and dilapidated buildings have applied to Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to develop their houses with proper rehabilitation of tenants.

The state government has amended the relevant portion of the KMC Act to incorporate the provision. State Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister Firhad Hakim had placed the amendment in the Legislative Assembly, which got support from MLAs across party lines.

The owners accepting KMC's proposal will be given an additional FAR in the proposed building.

There are more than 2,000 old and dilapidated buildings in the city. The civic authorities have urged the owners of buildings that are more than 50 years old to get the health of the houses examined by empanelled structural engineers.

In 2018, more than 25 people died after portions of dilapidated structures fell on them. The rainwater drainage systems of these structures have become inoperative. As a result, there is accumulation of water on the roof when there is heavy rain. This adds additional weight to the structures, which in turn crumble down.

Most of the old and dilapidated houses are situated in North, Central and parts of South Kolkata. The structures have not been repaired for years.

KMC has identified the structures and put up boards declaring them as "dilapidated and dangerous." But despite that, the tenants continue to stay in them. There are buildings where the tenants pay Rs 50 as monthly rent. In many buildings, the owners have died and the tenants do not pay rent. In many more cases, the tenants pay the rent to Rent Control because of litigation with the owners.

The owners agreeing with KMC's proposal need to give an undertaking that tenants will be rehabilitated in the new house. "Both the owners and tenants are happy as the rehabilitation of the latter is guaranteed," senior civic officials said, adding that "this is the best option."

To expedite the proposals, senior civic officials are holding meetings of the Building Committee twice a month.