Construction activity threatens existence of Ghatkopar hilltop colony

Residents of Pawar Chawl, who live on the hillock colony of Bhim Nagar in Ghatkopar, are contemplating on leaving their homes. With cracks developing in their small houses and the boundary wall of the colony, the fear of landslide is now running deep in the lives of the 300-plus families.

To add to this trepidation, part of the retention wall constructed by the civic authorities was washed away recently by a downhill stream following heavy showers.

Nestled on the slope of a hill in the eastern suburb for four decades, these families have been witnessing landslides almost every monsoon. However, residents claim that the situation has now turned from bad to worse since a nearby construction activity has resulted in eroding the base of the hill that houses the colony.

Residents are at their wits' end as both Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the private developer are allegedly unresponsive to their everyday suffering.

"We do not allow our kids to play outside anymore since the boundary wall has also developed a crack. Time and again, we have written to the BMC, but they seem to be least bothered. If nothing comes about, then I will have to search for a new home, at least till the rains are over," local resident Ganesh Koli (38) said.

Pointing towards the crack, which reportedly appeared on Monday night, Koli claimed that this was the doing of the drilling work at the construction site.

Cracks are also evident inside Koli's compact house. The door beam and support pillars sport visible fissures, which seem to be stretching apart with moisture in the air. The scene at Koli's house is mirrored across half a dozen other homes sitting on the hill. A distance of mere six to seven feet is what separates the homes from the crag, which plunges 50-feet-deep, but even that path has now developed fractures.

Locals claim that the drill exploration is causing fracturing of rocks in the hill, on which their homes rest.

"The waves split the rocks and then transmit the same onto the walls and the path. After we started an agitation last week, the builder did a cover-up job. He smeared cement and piked few railings on the slope so as to prevent any further fracturing and landslide. But will the cement hold amidst the showers," local resident Santosh Dhonde (30) questioned.

dna attempted to contact the site engineer at the construction area. However, security guards posted at the gates refused entry.

Landslides worsen each year

Every year, before monsoon, BMC comes up with a list of dangerous buildings and landslide-prone areas. The civic body, till date, has resorted to earmarking the localities and instructing Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) to construct retention walls.

"However, none of the steps have stopped the landslides, which seem to be getting worse every year. They should have stopped the construction activity at the base of the hill and given a thought on relocation of these residents," said Ritu Tawde, BJP corporator.

Tawde, who claimed to have surveyed the locality, pointed out that out of the 15 spots identified this year in N-ward as landslide-prone zones, the Bhim Nagar locality tops the chart.

As per residents, last year, Bhim Nagar number 2 area witnessed a landslide, which leveled two houses injuring a couple of people.

"With the construction activity at the base of the hill, supplemented by no retention wall and the heavy downpour, the eventuality of landslide is sure," she remarked.

Meanwhile, deputy municipal commissioner Kishor Kshirsagar remained unavailable to comment on the said visit and the precarious situation.