Maha CM checks monsoon preparedness, asks for structural audit of buildings

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed all civic bodies in the state to conduct third-party structural audits of dangerous buildings by good engineering institutes instead of relying upon the audit reports obtained by housing societies. The proactive move will prevent loss of life, Shinde said on Monday at the Sahyadri Guest House here during a meeting on monsoon preparedness of all agencies in the state. He gave the directive on structural audit when he was informed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) that it had shifted tenants from 27 of the 226 buildings which were declared unsafe. The CM said civic bodies should also take care of the accommodation of displaced families so that they agree to evacuate their dilapidated buildings, as per a government release. Representatives from the Coast Guard, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Railways and other bodies made presentations on their monsoon preparedness. Officials from the Army, Navy and A