Moti Mahal's compound wall develops cracks, part of Ravindra Mansion's compound caves in
The grievances of Churchgate residents over the Metro-3 work being carried out in their area seem to be piling with each passing day. Last week, residents of Ravindra Mansion observed that a portion of the ground in their compound had started to cave in, while residents of Moti Mahal found that their compound wall had developed cracks. The residents immediately contacted officials from the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) following which the corporation's structural engineers surveyed the problem spots on Sunday.
At Ravindra mansion, the ground's upper cement layer has started sinking — just 5 feet from the building while Moti Mahal's compound wall has developed big and threatening cracks. Residents blame vibrations from the machine work being carried out for the underground Metro-3 corridor for these problems.
"Both the buildings are old, built in the 1930s. Their structural strength may not be that strong. The MMRC sent structural engineers for inspection, who said that the building is not in danger and assured us that the engineers will take utmost care for further work. However, we cannot wait until an outward incident takes place and want foolproof guarantee that our building's structure is safe," said a resident, adding, "They are built on reclaimed land and the MMRC has to be more careful during the work which involves high-pressure work with heavy piling and vibrations."
According to a resident, the piling work at Churchgate began around July-August this year, and the residents worry of the problems escalating once the tunneling work for the underground corridor begins. However, MMRC claims that the tunneling work is 30 to 40 feet underground so it won't be as noisy or troublesome. MMRC expects to complete the piling and heavy machinery work in the area by July 2018. However, residents claim the corporation is behind schedule and they may continue facing problems. Despite repeated attempts, MMRC spokespersons did not respond to queries sent by DNA.
METRO PROBLEMS
Some of the problems faced by the area's residents since the work began:
- Noise pollution
- Contaminated water as a result of damaged water lines
- Disconnected telephone lines for 3 months
- Ravindra Mansion's compound has shrunk at some locations
- No parking space
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Ravindra Mansion")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}