Both our Hills are experiencing considerable redevelopment projects that are moving at a rapid pace. On the request of several people, we chose to publish an article on a very controversial yet extremely important topic, particularly relates to the stability of our Hills during the ongoing construction work.
Certain buildings require redevelopment, particularly those that are dilapidated and structurally unstable. Also, when buildings are very old, with insufficient infrastructure and other amenities, inadequate space utilisation, and a low number of tenants, among other problems. However, there are many buildings though old are structurally sound. These, buildings have excellent infrastructure, excellent ground area, and other amenities.
However, for want of additional area and modern look with amenities, there is a divide between members for redevelopment. A majority of 51% as a requirement for redevelopment of their structures in the general interest is beneficial particularly where redevelopment is absolutely necessary. However, not otherwise.
The redevelopment process mostly involves the demolition of existing structures and their conversion into 40/55-60 floor buildings. This will necessitate an enormous amount of construction work, particularly deep excavations required for tall towers. This will undoubtedly place an enormous burden on our hills. Though the BMC has several policies in place to ensure safe construction activities, natural disasters can nevertheless occur unexpectedly, especially around the Hills.
There is a school on Walkeshwar Road. There have been reports of landslides, and schoolchildren were evacuated in an emergency. There have been reports of road collapsing on Walkeshwar Road and multiple landslides in our hills. Ridge Road (BG Kher Marg) collapsed during the 2020 monsoons, then after 50 days there was another landslide after which the road was closed for traffic for more than two years. Also in 2022 there was landslide on Carmichael Road.
We already have a Coastal Road tunnel built at the bottom of our hill. We have a water reservoir above this tunnel that supplies water to South Mumbai and is currently planned for repair/reconstruction. The BMC has yet to make a decision on this.
This revised plan should restrict redevelopment of multistory only with sound structural stability since it is on the hill. Tall structures may have to be provided with permission to builders to excavate enormous foundations and if they are constantly coming up on the Hills can pose a threat. Sometimes underground explosions are also used and those waves can damage nearby buildings.
Building weight increases simultaneously with height, the vertical loads carried by the foundation, and thus on the ground beneath, can be huge. This may pose a major risk in hill areas.
Proper redevelopment with a different plan giving 150% safety insulations is required. Appoint a proper technical committee to study the impact of redevelopment projects on a hill. Till a perfect full technical survey is done followed by a proper safe plan it would be advisable to please temporarily stop these new tall redevelopment projects.
Editorial Committee of ‘The Voice of Malabar Hills’.
