Mumbai: Funds crunch hit retaining wall project for landslide-prone hillocks

Illegal encroachment near Park Site, Vikhroli. N ward, which covers Ghatkopar and Vikhroli, accounts for 30 per cent of the priority-1 list of landslide-prone areas. Pic/Sameer Markande

Funds barrier! Retaining walls on landslide-prone hillocks in the city have been hit by a funds crunch. After 32 deaths in landslides last year, the state government had planned to build safety walls in landslide-prone areas in the city, but the project is struggling for funds this year. Civic officials added that they are also facing other issues such as land ownership and encroachment.

"We started work at 25 such spots at a cost of Rs 71 crore last year and another Rs 112 crore was reserved for the project this year. However, the actual need is around Rs 250 crore," said an officer from the Suburban Collector's office.

In 2017, 240 landslide-prone were identified in the city by the Geological Survey of India. "As per GSI advice, a priority list has been made which includes 47 priority-1 spots and 25 priority-2 spots. Last year we started work on 25 spots from the priority-1 list wherein we took up the work to build 245 walls at a cost of Rs 71 crore," said Mumbai Suburban Collector Nidhi Chaudhari.

"This year, the allotment for the projects stands at Rs 112 crore. We have submitted a list of 1,016 wall constructions to the Brihanmumbai Municipal corporation which will decide which ones need to be done on priority, following which we will start the work as per the availability of funds," she added.

A BMC official said, "After last year's landslide incidents at Chembur and Bhandup, we found that there was no proper way to drain rainwater from these areas and the pressure of the water led to the collapse. Therefore, not only construction of a safety wall but also a proper drainage system is required." The official further said there was a need for plantation on the hill slopes as it would help stop landslides.

Former BJP corporator Jagruti Patil from Bhandup West said, "A wall has been constructed in the area where the landslide took place last year. But the work needed for the entire wall is yet to be done."

Speaking on the difficulties faced apart from the fund crunch, a BMC official said, "Most of the land for the work belongs to state government authorities such as collectors, forest and other departments. In some areas, there is no place to construct a safety wall due to encroachment." The official added that the civic body has sent notices to those living in such areas to vacate before the monsoon, but has not got any response.

As per data, eastern suburbs have the most landslide-prone spots with 170 of the 240 spots there. Further, N ward, which covers Ghatkopar and Vikhroli, accounts for 30 per cent of the priority-1 list.

Rs 112cr
Allotment for the project this year