VJTI team and MMRDA officials inspect Elphinstone bridge demolition after residents allege vibrations are cracking century-old buildings; residents claimed that repeated tremors from the machinery were causing existing cracks to widen and leading to minor plaster collapses, creating unsafe living conditions
Residents of Parel and Elphinstone bridge gather at demolition site, alleging that vibrations from heavy machinery are damaging their buildings. Pic/Shadab Khan
A day after residents and shopowners in Parel staged a protest over the ongoing demolition near Elphinstone bridge, officials from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and a technical expert team from VJTI visited the site on Friday to assess the alleged structural impact on surrounding buildings.
The visit comes amid rising anxiety among families and shopkeepers whose century-old structures reportedly shake every time heavy machinery is deployed for the bridge demolition. During Thursday’s protest, residents claimed that repeated tremors from the machinery were causing existing cracks to widen and leading to minor plaster collapses, creating unsafe living conditions.
VJTI expert Vikas Phalle inspecting the site. Pics/Ritika Gondhalekar
“We are scared to sleep inside our own homes. Every time the work begins, the walls and even objects on the table shake. What if something falls on us?” said Bahadur Jadeja, resident of Samarth Niwas. Adding to this, Uday Mane, owner of Maratha Salon located below Samarth Niwas, told mid-day, “Because of the constant vibrations, the door of my salon has come off its frame. It won’t shut now. Even our chairs shake whenever drilling or soil removal starts.”
On Friday, MMRDA officials and VJTI experts conducted a detailed inspection, surveying cracks in multiple houses and shops, measuring vibration intensity, and speaking with affected families. “We will compile a vibration-level analysis based on the findings and submit a report to MMRDA and residents by Monday. Continuous monitoring will be conducted henceforth and work will be modified accordingly,” said Vikas Phalle, expert from VJTI.
MMRDA representative Jagdish Patil said the agency has engaged independent experts to ensure transparency and community safety. “VJTI’s report will guide any corrective steps required,” he said. VJTI experts have reportedly issued technical guidelines to workers regarding demolition machinery and clarified that older equipment has already been replaced with advanced machines designed to minimise ground impact, contrary to residents’ concerns.
Despite these assurances, residents say their fear remains. Many buildings in the area are over 100 years old and have undergone minimal repairs, raising doubts about whether they can withstand continuous vibrations. Some locals insist that temporary relocation or structural support should be considered until demolition is completed. “So far, officials have inspected and instructed, but we are the ones living with shaking walls,” said Sachin Chavan, who runs a CA firm in the building. “Unless our safety is guaranteed in writing, how can we feel secure?”
Officials, however, maintained that work will not halt unless directed by higher authorities or if the technical reports support residents’ claims.
“We are not satisfied with today’s (Friday) meeting. Nothing was resolved. All we can do is hope we stay safe during demolition, construction, and later when vehicular load increases. They have even removed us from the rehabilitation plans,” Chavan added.
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