BMC Gets 97 Applications for Mumbai OC Amnesty Scheme

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received 97 applications from housing societies seeking Occupation Certificates (OCs) under its amnesty scheme, launched on September 9, 2026, with only four applications submitted with all required documents, prompting the civic body to plan awareness programmes across Mumbai.

The scheme aims to help eligible housing societies obtain pending OCs by offering concessions on prescribed charges and penalties.

BMC plans citywide awareness programmes

The civic body is planning awareness camps in collaboration with the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) and the Practising Engineers, Architects and Town Planners Association (PEATA).

Speaking at an awareness programme organised by the two organisations on November 3, Sanjay Rathod, chief engineer of BMC’s Development Plan department, said the scheme had introduced a six-month period during which penalties would be reduced to zero.

“For the first time, we have introduced an amnesty scheme under which the penalty has been reduced to zero for a period of six months,” Rathod said.

He added that individual applications and requirements such as Fire No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) had posed challenges for some housing societies.

The BMC has also introduced special provisions under AutoDCR, including allowing enclosures wherever possible.

Rathod said the civic body would conduct fairs and awareness programmes across the city to inform housing societies about the available options and encourage them to apply.

Also Read: BMC Approves OC Amnesty Scheme for Pre-2016 Buildings

Scheme covers housing societies, hospitals and schools

The amnesty scheme is intended to benefit housing societies that lack valid OCs. It also addresses applications from hospitals, schools and shops, while helping eligible societies obtain deemed conveyance.

According to BMC officials, the scheme's current eligibility criteria could benefit around 5,000 housing societies within Mumbai's city limits.

The civic body has estimated that around 12 lakh homeowners living in nearly 25,000 residential buildings in Mumbai do not have an OC.

Architect Vilas Nagalkar, secretary and member of PEATA, said the response remained limited partly because the scheme had only recently been introduced.

He said PEATA and NAREDCO planned to work with the BMC to reach more areas and inform housing societies about the concessions.

Also Read: BMC's OC Amnesty Scheme: 5 Things Homeowners Must Know

Eligibility conditions for OC amnesty

Under the scheme, buildings must have been occupied before November 17, 2016, and hold valid Intimation of Disapproval (IOD) and Commencement Certificate (CC).

Residential units exceeding 80 sq metres are excluded. Predominantly residential buildings, hospitals and schools are covered, while commercial units in residential buildings may receive OCs without financial benefits.

Applicants must also obtain an NOC from the original developer or applicant.

The scheme does not regularise illegal construction. Eligible applicants are required to comply with applicable planning and safety regulations, including fire safety requirements wherever relevant.

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