Mumbai: Elphinstone residents protest again as heavy vibrations and structural damage intensifies

Piling work being carried out by the MMRDA causing heavy vibrations and damages. Pic/Shadab Khan

The ongoing demolition work at Elphinstone Bridge has sparked growing concern once again among residents of Parel, who allege that the constant use of heavy machinery is causing severe vibrations and structural distress to their already fragile buildings.

Since the demolition activity began, the residents have experienced shaking inside their houses and fear that their houses will collapse. "Every day, once the work begins, our houses start shaking. When we asked the VJTI personnel, we found out that the machinery is outdated," said Sriram Pawar, a resident of Samarth Niwas, one of the affected buildings.

Adding to him, "Our homes are shaking every few minutes. The vibrations from the machines are so strong that the plaster is falling off the walls," said Naresh Yadav, another worried resident, adding that despite repeated complaints, no official assessment of the damage has been carried out so far.

Residents gathered at the demolition site and demanded immediate intervention from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is overseeing the bridge project. They urged authorities to either halt or modify the ongoing work to prevent further damage to surrounding structures.

"We have been told that the officials would halt the work and reduce the intensity and get VJTI experts to check the machinery. And then they would resume the work," said Pawar.

"We have already been sidelined from the rehabilitation process. At least don't play with our lives," said Yadav.