Mumbai: Alleged excavation by builder may pose risk to BMC’s Worli Hill reservoir
With a Bandra-based builder – Innovative Construction Pvt Ltd – allegedly excavating of a portion of the Worli Hill, residents have expressed the concern that the move will apparently pose a risk to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) existing 22 million litre capacity reservoir atop the hill.
According to the Worli Hill residents, a compound wall – close to the Worli Hill reservoir – had been constructed by Innovative Construction around the excavated portion of the hill. However, that wall was demolished by the ward officials last year; but it has again been reconstructed.
The site had been visited by the officials of the Water Supply department in 2013. It was observed that “an attempt of cutting rock by blasting is made on the site;” and Innovative Construction was told that cutting of rock would pose a “grave danger” to the hill portion, and will also be “detrimental” to the reservoir.
The officials had asked Innovative Construction not to cut the cliff portion, and also to submit evidence regarding construction of compound wall. But, since the builder did not respond, the demolition of the wall was ordered.
Meanwhile, pointing out that “around 40-50 feet of the hill has been cut,” Vishin Ajwani, trustee of Worli Hill Association voiced the concerns of the residents by saying that “if the foundation for the reservoir is weakened and the reservoir walls give way, all our houses will be destroyed by the resulting flood.”
Source – The Indian Express
Bandra-based builder, BMC, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Innovative Construction Pvt Ltd, Slum Rehabilitation Authority, Worli Hill
