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The safety scrutiny of two pivotal development initiatives along Little Gibbs Road at Malabar Hill, poised above the twin coastal road tunnels, is presently underway. This re-evaluation follows the unfortunate tunnel collapse incident at Silkyara, entrapping 41 miners for a harrowing 17 days. The coastal road department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proactively directed the building proposals department to meticulously review these ambitious projects, both featuring 3–4 storeys of basement construction.
A formal request for this comprehensive safety scrutiny has been dispatched to Aakar Architects and Consultants, as well as Barai Architects, the two firms functioning as liaising consultants in expediting real estate project approvals. Aakar Architects had previously received a no-objection certificate (NOC) on June 15, 2022, for an 18-storey edifice with a 4-level basement, while Barai Architects secured a NOC on November 2, 2018, for a 32-meter-high, 7-floor structure with 3 levels of basement. Notably, these projects are slated to replace two erstwhile bungalows, one under the ownership of Reliance and the other under the stewardship of Godrej and Boyce.
Citizen-activist Santosh Daundkar prompted this intervention by filing a complaint with the BMC. He asserts that Malabar Hill, originally a hillock, has weakened due to historical British construction and subsequent environmental changes. Daundkar contends that the ongoing coastal road project, an aspirational dream venture for Mumbai, poses a tangible risk to the twin tunnels, especially with the concurrent construction projects directly above them.
MM Swami, chief engineer of the coastal road project, has clarified that the BMC's communication seeks elucidation from the consultants regarding any alterations to the approved building plans subsequent to the issuance of the NOCs. He has underscored the pivotal nature of adhering to the originally sanctioned plans to safeguard the integrity of the twin tunnels and the superstructures erected above them. Swami emphasized that the NOCs were granted with meticulous adherence to safety precautions, and any deviations from the sanctioned plans could potentially compromise the standards of safety that are imperative.
While Barai Architects acknowledged receipt of BMC's letter, Kashyap Barai reserved comment until a detailed examination. Regrettably, Aakar Architects Consultants, on the other hand, could not be reached for an immediate response. In essence, the BMC's proactive reassessment is a testament to its unwavering commitment to upholding the most stringent safety standards and ensuring the alignment of approved plans with the dynamic exigencies inherent in these expansive developmental initiatives.
This story was earlier published in Hindustan Times
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