Soil erosion endangers lives of 50 families

Soil erosion, at a plot where the foundation work of an under-construction MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) building was in progress, has put the lives of nearly 50 families staying in neighbouring buildings in jeopardy. The building, being constructed at Tilak Nagar, is to provide homes to Project Affected Persons (PAPs) of Santacruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR).

Building number 160 and 161 of MHADA's Low Income Group (LIG) and BHEL colony are affected by the soil erosion. As a precautionary measure, around 50 families immediately vacated the LIG building. The earth beneath the neighbouring buildings too has become weak due to the incident.

On Monday morning, at around 7.30 am, all 25 touch pipes at the construction site collapsed.

An official from the site said, "Whenever any digging work is undertaken for foundation purpose, touchpipes are kept at the boundaries which act as a retaining wall so that the soil does not erode and damage adjoining structures. These touch pipes gave way on Monday morning."

The building was part of MMRDA's rehabilitation program for the PAPs of Tilak Nagar. The SCLR project is being implemented by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

"We have decided to conduct structural audit of the adjoining buildings and we will take steps that will be mentioned in the audit report," clarified Dilip Kawathkar, MMRDA spokesperson.