Day on, BMC yet to fix cave-in near Mantralaya

A day after a small portion of Madame Cama Road caved in near Mantralaya, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been unable to resolve the issue as the problem has turned out to be bigger than thought. A result of the yet-to-be repaired cave-in: Traffic movement on the road has been affected.

Until going to press on Thursday, the BMC was still busy with repairs, trying to mend the cave-in which happened on Wednesday.

On Wednesday evening, a portion admeasuring 1 foot by 2 feet of the paver block stretch near exit gate of the state secretariat had caved in. Subsequently, repair work was commissioned, after which civic officials realised the seriousness of the problem. "Late on Wednesday, it was found that a 30-inch water pipeline beneath the road had weakened and a storm water drain (SWD) line had leaked. Hence, we couldn't continue with the work then. On Thursday, we ensured proper supply during the day and mobilised logistic for the work, such as excavators, JCB and manpower. We then undertook the work during the evening," said BMC hydraulic engineer Ramesh Bambale.

He claimed that water supply in societies along the Marine Drive and those near the Mantralaya and Oval Maidan was not affected much as the leakage was minor. "We did not receive any complaint about the water being at low pressure," he said.

The official added that the work would be completed by 6am on Friday, with around 50 labourers from water works, roads and SWD departments put on the job.
Senior inspector of Colaba traffic division NB Patil said, "Due to these repair works, traffic movement on the south-bound stretch of the road was affected. With the south-bound road completely closed now and traffic in both directions using only the north-bound stretch, movement is bound to be slow."