TMC mulls fresh audit of creekside buildings in Thane

Credits : realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com

The move comes after a visibly structurally sound Om Surya building from Rabodi developed sudden defects allegedly due to weakening of the foundation and soil.

THANE: Hundreds of buildings constructed along the creek may now have to conduct fresh structural audits as a wary municipal administration wants to be reassured of their stability. The move comes after a visibly structurally sound Om Surya building from Rabodi developed sudden defects allegedly due to weakening of the foundation and soil.

The three-decade old building located close to a water body had developed several defect to its RCC structure recently following which it started tilting and is now scheduled to be demolished soon as the damage is beyond repairs. Interestingly, the ground-plus-three storey structure was not even in the list of weak structures compiled by the TMC which has now blamed possible seepage from the drain or creek as the primary reason for damage to the building.

Further, there are hundreds of structures in areas including Mumbra, Kalwa, Chendani, Kopri, Balkum to name a few where structures are abutting the creek. Wary that such structures located along the creek banks or those in the near vicinity shouldn’t face a similar fate, the corporation is now mulling to seek fresh and timely audits.

“The soil and the structure foundation developed massive damage possibly due to constant seepage from the adjoining creek waters. The building was probably constructed on reclaimed land at that time. The structure was not dilapidated but after the incident, the cracks have started widening and a panel of auditors recommended demolishing it as there is no possibility of repairs. As a precaution, we are now issuing notices to neighbouring buildings and asking them to conduct audits to prevent any possible mishap in the area,” said Ashok Burpulle, deputy municipal commissioner and in-charge of the anti-encroachment department.

NCP corporator Najeeb Mulla added that the issue was indeed serious and the administration must fast track the process of redevelopment in these areas. “There is no mechanism of analysing the soil strength which could easily give away even though the structure looks healthy from above. The fate of thousands of residents from the city could be at risk as there is no proper plan to get them adequate rehabilitation or accommodation. The cluster should be immediately expedited in such areas,” said Mulla, the sitting corporator from Rabodi where Om Surya is located.

Fellow corporator Milind Patankar from the BJP also agreed to the point but added that along with superficial observations of weak structures, there needs to be an urgent need to study the earth and soil underneath any structure also.

Experts have also seconded the need for more tech-savvy tests to be undertaken in the city. Meanwhile, a section of residents said such audits will pose a burden on the common man. Already several structures especially those located in middle-class enclaves are not ready to bear the crucial audit expenses that often run into thousands of rupees and having a fresh test is likely to face opposition from many.

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Source:realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com