27-05-2025
Landslide fears: Walkeshwar bldg razing on post wall crash
Mumbai: After a portion of a retaining wall adjoining a cessed building, Ruby Hill 47, along the main Walkeshwar Road came crashing down Monday night following the intense downpour in south Mumbai, Mhada officials began demolishing it Tuesday.
The BMC has relocated the building tenants to a transit camp in Mazgaon while a neighbouring structure has been asked to conduct a structural audit.
Residents say the wall collapse is part of a larger, looming threat of landslides. "At least four high-rises are under construction on this hillside," said a long-time resident, Pervin Sanghvi. "Urban planning must respect the area's natural contours, water flow paths, and geological risks— but that's clearly not happening."
They are now demanding that the BMC conduct detailed geological studies and assess the hill's load-bearing capacity before permitting further construction.
As rubble from the structure being demolished fell on the VIP road which houses the official residence of the Maharashtra governor and is the regular route taken by the chief minister and other ministers residing in Malabar Hill, traffic police along with the contractor's staffers appointed to raze the building were seen halting vehicles at intervals.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
月 **,***원대 '실비보험' 최적가 비교가입! "月 보험료 낮추고, 보장은 실속있게"…
굿리치 보험대리점 (등록번호:제2006038313호)
가격 받기
Undo
A large tree whose roots had grown inside the partially crashed retaining wall was also in the process of being cut Tuesday.
Sanjay Shirke, whose family lived in the building, said, "This is at least a 100-year-old building and its retaining wall was not strengthened. As tenants we have been left out, not knowing what the future holds for us amid the demolition of the structure." Hema Shirke, his sister-in-law, alleged they had been following up with authorities about the structure but were made to go around in circles.
"We have rent-paid receipts since the 1950s," she said.
Assistant municipal commissioner Manish Walunju of D Ward said the building was vacated as soon as the mud slide was noticed. "The building is located on the hill and Mhada decided to demolish it," he said.
Santosh Daundkar, a Right to Information (RTI) activist, said, "In 2022, after a landslide incident behind Cadbury House on Pedder Road, I had alerted municipal authorities that Malabar Hill was gradually sliding.
On the first day of the current monsoon, this fresh incident occurred. Constructing new buildings on this hill land by demolishing old structures is not advisable due to the high geological risk involved.
Unfortunately, before such constructions, no recommendations or studies from IIT, VJTI, or the Geological Survey of India have been considered."
Mhada officials said Ruby Hill 47 had both commercial and residential homes but as per their policy only residential tenants are given alternate accommodation.
