MahaMetro has expedited the remainder structural integrity survey of buildings along a section of the underground route.
MahaMetro recently completed surveying 500 buildings along the Range Hills-Kasba Peth section, and, in all, finished studying 50% of the 1,060 structures within a 50 m radius of the Metro route.
The officials have now shifted focus to the Kasba Peth-Swargate stretch and aim to complete the survey here in time for the digging of the underground tunnel, expected to begin in November.
As a part of the study, The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro’s) surveyors will comprehensively study each building and identify vulnerable structures. MahaMetro will submit a report to the civic administration.
An official said that the MahaMetro has provided all the surveyors with authorization letters and identity cards, but residents often don’t cooperate which also explains the delay in completing the survey, which had begun in June this year.
The survey is the most crucial and challenging task. Every flat in each building undergoes a thorough inspection. The surveyors also take photographs where needed, and a copy of the surveys report is handed over to the flatowners. Help is being taken from PMC where required, the official added.
The official added that the density of the buildings on the Kasba Peth-Swargate stretch is twice as much as on the Range Hills-Kasba Peth stretch. This is one of the most congested and oldest parts of the city. The structures are numerous and of various types.
MahaMetro has already assured that the buildings will not be damaged during the tunnel excavation work, as the tunnel boring machines will operate 18 to 20 metres below the surface. The official said that similar digging work has been completed in Delhi and Mumbai without any hassle.
The survey covers the buildings at the sites of the five underground Metro stations — Swargate, Mandai, Budhwar Peth, Civil Court and Shivajinagar. The MahaMetro recently shifted the location of the Budhwar Peth Metro station to a vacant plot in Kasba Peth after protests by residents.
Source: ET Realty