Welcome high-rises

Like greatness in people, so are contradictions to cities. Some cities are born with contradictions, while in case of others, contradictions are thrust upon them.

Amchi Mumbai’s is ordained to live with contradictions thrust upon it largely due to lack of coordination, foresight and prior planning of its rulers. Sample, for instance, the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) apprehension that the new doppler radar being set up at Colaba will face hurdles from skyscrapers coming up in the south and central parts of the city. The bone of contention at present is the 117-storey tower being constructed at Parel, trumpeted as the world’s tallest residential building in-the-making.

Now, the contradiction. On the one hand, it is agreed upon that a doppler radar is a must post 26/7, 2005 to predict impending cyclones. Monsoons in Mumbai are as predictable as they are potentially dangerous with high tides known to unleash sweeping rampage. The scars left behind by 400 people who perished in the floods are yet to heal. But, on the other hand, it stands to reason that the megapolis, faced with an ever-burgeoning population, has to grow vertically.

The constantly-shrinking horizontal space makes it imperative for high-rise buildings to come up and accommodate the swell of humanity.

Now, what’s the way out? The answer lies in careful co-ordination and planning between the IMD and other as a result of which the radar signal beam isn’t obstructed to prevent detection of clouds and weather phenomena. South and central Mumbai are inhabited by offices and old-timers and are the most congested. To ease the congestion, high-rises have to be permitted.

Visiting World Bank delegation in 2008 had suggested changing laws on the lines of New York for vertical growth. Underwater tunnel between Worli and Nariman Point was also mooted. But, nothing concrete has emerged so far. Land is still as scarce, even scarcer.

The answer is vertical movement.  It’s not just enough to ask the respective departments to thrash out the problem. The spirit of urgency and meticulousness needs to accompany such decisions that hinge on public welfare. So, get cracking with adequate resolve without cracking up.