In a groundbreaking initiative for urban local bodies in Asia, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) approved in January, through its high-rise committee (HRC), the empanelment of geotechnical and foundation experts.
These experts will serve as independent signatories to evaluate the foundations of high-rise buildings, ensuring that excavation and construction practices adhere to rigorous safety standards. The new regulation mandates that any building exceeding 180 meters in height must secure mandatory clearance from the HRC prior to advancing through critical stages of construction.
This decision arises as Mumbai’s skyline increasingly ascends, with a growing number of super-tall towers being proposed on densely packed urban plots that necessitate deep excavations and intricate foundation systems. Palais Royale in Worli currently stands as Mumbai’s tallest building under construction at 320 meters. Other notable structures such as Lokhandwala Minerva, Piramal Aranya Arav, and Lodha World One contribute to the city’s skyline, with numerous additional proposals awaiting approval. “This represents a significant advancement in ensuring the safety of building foundations.
Our high-rise committee assesses whether the foundation design is suitable for the prevailing soil and rock conditions, whether excavation is conducted safely, and whether sufficient precautions are implemented to avert damage to adjacent buildings and underground utilities,” stated Deepankar Choudhury from IIT Bombay’s civil engineering department, who is a member of BMC’s HRC and a geotechnical and foundation expert. “This process includes the evaluation of soil and rock investigation reports, shoring systems, and other safety measures employed during deep excavation for basements and foundations.”
Previously, these elements were primarily reviewed and approved by structural engineers selected by developers as part of the building approval process. Nevertheless, a series of structural failures related to foundations and shorings in recent years, which highlighted deficiencies in foundation quality, led the BMC to seek specialized oversight from geotechnical consultants who would act as independent signatories, assuming responsibility for foundation and geotechnical design.
Choudhury stated that the committee responsible for empaneling geotechnical consultants will consist of independent senior geotechnical engineers from both academia and industry, possessing aligned technical specializations. These experts will provide an essential additional layer of scrutiny prior to the commencement of projects that involve deep foundations. “Given that dense construction frequently occurs just meters away from existing structures, excavation can present considerable risks if not meticulously monitored,” he remarked.
By incorporating independent expert geotechnical and foundation reviews at the municipal level, the BMC aims to mitigate such risks and ensure that the foundation construction for super-tall buildings adheres to the highest engineering standards. Choudhury mentioned that this initiative could establish a precedent for other cities facing the challenges associated with rapid vertical growth.
