High-rise plans scrutinised for twin coastal road tunnels

Two prime development projects on Little Gibbs Road at Malabar Hill, which were planned to be constructed above the twin coastal road tunnels, are currently under scrutiny for safety measures. This evaluation follows a tunnel collapse at Silkyara, during which 41 miners were trapped for 17 days. The coastal road department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has requested the building proposals department to assess the safety of two high-rise projects, each with 3-4 storeys of basement. A letter requesting a safety review has been dispatched to Aakar Architects and Consultants and Barai Architects. These two firms play the role of 'liaisoning consultants in simplifying approvals for real estate projects.' A no-objection certificate (NOC) had been granted by the coastal road department to Aakar Architects and Consultants on June 15, 2022, for an 18-storey building with a 4-level basement. Similarly, Barai Architects received an NOC on November 2, 2018, for a 32-meter high, 7-floor building with 3 levels of basement. The redevelopment is taking place on plots where two bungalows once stood. One plot is owned by Reliance, and the other is owned by Godrej and Boyce. The BMC's action was prompted by a complaint from citizen-activist Santosh Daundkar. He asserted, Malabar Hill is an original tekdi (hillock). Originally, the British had built on it, but over the decades, due to development work and environmental changes, the tekdi is becoming weaker. He added, The coastal road is Mumbai?s dream project. The two projects are being constructed over the tunnel. Heavy loads and even more digging could endanger the tunnel, and that is why I have filed a complaint.