Navi Mumbai: As monsoon clouds gather, Navi Mumbai residents living in deteriorating buildings are raising alarm over persistent leakages, demanding a mandatory safety audit of all residential and commercial structures across the city.
The citizens’ platform Human Chain has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging the state to inspect high-risk buildings — including housing complexes, commercial structures, and the APMC market — to prevent structural failures and protect public safety.
“The tragedy is that many buildings leak so severely during monsoons, they might as well compete with Cherrapunji,” said Human Chain convenor B N Kumar. He blamed poor-quality construction materials and the use of sewage water in building processes, compounded by a total lack of maintenance.
Ranjana Waghchoure, a senior citizen and maid living in Kopar Khairane, is among many suffering in silence. “My ceiling leaks daily due to overflowing rooftop tanks, but no one listens — not the society, not the municipality,” she said. Fearing electrical hazards, she approached ward officials, who asked her to gather more complaints. “Why wait for more damage?” she questioned.
Activist and tenant Madhu Shankar, who lives in Vashi’s Sector 28, said constant leaks have damaged appliances and spoiled food stocks. “The landlord doesn’t care — only the rent matters,” she said. After repeated complaints, her landlord even threatened eviction and sought help from a local MNS worker.
“The worker tried to intimidate us instead of fixing the issue,” said Kumar, who warned against political interference in legal tenancy matters. “Groups claiming to serve society should focus on solving real problems, not exerting muscle power,” he added.
With civic elections approaching, Human Chain is encouraging residents to show politicians the real condition of their homes before entertaining campaign promises.
“Let them see what we live with — maybe then they’ll act,” Kumar said.
Real estate consultant Naresh Shah pointed out that substandard construction has long plagued Navi Mumbai. “Many JN-type homes were declared unfit by IIT experts. Yet, cost-cutting and poor supervision continue,” he said.
Human Chain has also called on the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) to expand its scope and address tenant rights, which currently receive little attention.
As rains approach, residents say the time for inspections, repairs, and reforms is now — before leaking ceilings lead to irreversible disasters.
