``These buildings are over 20 years old and in bad shape. The residents have no choice but to demolish them and erect new structures on the same plots,'' said Shivaji Barkund, chief engineer, Public Works Department adding that they face a greater danger of collapse during the rainy season.

The MBMC had identified these 63 structures following a survey conducted by the PWD and the Additional Town Planner. The survey report found the buildings unsafe for human habitation, after which the council issued notices to the residents to vacate as soon as possible.

Apart from these notices, the council is clueless on how to handle an emergency, just in case. The MBMC has drawn up no plans to mobilise resources for rescue if any of the structures were to give in. A senior PWD engineer said except for sending the fire brigadeand rescuing those who may be caught under the debris, the council can do little else.

Sceptical about the council's capabilities, a civic official said, ``Given the staff strength of our fire brigade, handling any such emergency would be a Herculean task for us.'' The MBMC fire brigade unit has only two firemen out of the total 28 staff members, the rest are registered in the council as safai kamgar with no training in firefighting or extricating persons from under the debris.

The notified buildings in Bhayander (west) are: Chandralok co-op housing society, Janta Nagar; Narsiddhivinayak CHS, Hira Bhavan, Amrit Villas, station road; Arihant Krupa and Roseben Villa in Prakash market; Jap Vrishab CHS, Chandanbala, Modi Patel road; Nedesh Bhavan, Maharana Pratap road; Dulhanbai chawl; Maggi House, station road; Todi Udyog Nagar `A';Ranisati CHS, Uttan road; Mangala Smriti, Mahrana Pratap Road; Matru Chhaya CHS, Ram Mandir road; residences of Ashok Gokhale Wada, Shriram Sadan in Bhayander village;Ritabai Marvel Charshi CHS, residents of Siriz Georgie Borges, Josephine Peter D'Souza, Desphon D'Souza, Christine David D'Souza, Estef Miranda and Gilbert Fonseca all in Uttan.

The unsafe buildings in Bhayander (east) are: Aradhan CHS, Navghar road; Amrapali CHS, Navghar road; Tulsi Nivas, Maniccha Nivas, Sai Niketan, Sriji Nivas, Sandhya Gupta Bhavan, Saroj Nivas, Saikripa CHS, Pitruchhaya CHS, Hira Panna, Matru Chhaya, Sai Nivas, Laxman Kirtikripa Ind Estate, Ketaki Nivas all on BP Road; Ram Avtar Sadan, Cabin road; Patil Brothers' Estate, Kharigaon; Shaila Udyog Bhavan, Navghar road; Dalvi Chawl, Navghar cross road; Bhayander Swapna Shilpi (A), Sukhi Sansar, Prabati Smruti, Lata CHS, Satyam Madhurai CHS, Datta Nivas, Mukund Nivas, Shobha Vihar, BM Estate, Sadanand Bhiva Patil House all on BP cross road and Jagannath Bhavan, opp. railway station and Navkirti Estate, BG Market.