BMC Orders Independent Survey After Residents Report Tremors During Mumbai Coastal Road Work

Mumbai:

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to appoint the Veermata Jijabai Technical Institute (VJTI) to conduct an independent technical survey of the ongoing excavation and piling work for the second phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road Project, following complaints from residents who reported experiencing tremor-like vibrations in their homes.

Residents of the Charkop area in Kandivali alleged that test piling activities carried out earlier this month caused earthquake-like vibrations, raising concerns over the structural safety of nearby residential buildings. The complaints prompted civic authorities to temporarily halt work and convene a meeting with local residents and officials.

The decision to involve VJTI was taken on Wednesday after a joint meeting chaired by BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay. According to civic officials, while a structural audit of existing buildings had been conducted by a private expert agency before the piling began, VJTI will now independently review those findings and, if necessary, conduct a fresh technical assessment.

“Once the VJTI submits its report, piling work will resume with additional safety measures. Sensors will be installed to continuously monitor vibration levels so that any potential risk to nearby structures can be immediately detected,” a senior BMC official said.

The complaints began emerging around February 11, when test piling commenced for the second phase of the project. Several residents claimed they felt repeated vibrations inside their homes, leading to fear and anxiety, particularly among senior citizens.

The second phase of the Mumbai Coastal Road aims to connect Versova in the western suburbs to Bhayandar, significantly improving north–south connectivity within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The proposed corridor will feature underground tunnels, a cable-stayed bridge, and multiple interchanges. It will also integrate with the upcoming Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR), another major infrastructure project being developed by the BMC.

This is not the first time such concerns have surfaced. Prior to 2022, residents along Marine Drive and in Girgaon had raised similar complaints during piling work for the first phase of the coastal road, prompting the civic body to introduce additional monitoring mechanisms at the time.

Civic officials have reiterated that public safety remains a priority and assured residents that no work will proceed without technical clearance. “We will not compromise on safety. All necessary precautions will be taken before resuming construction,” the official added.