Supreme Court asks MMRC to present report on South Mumbai station after two buildings in Mahim tilt

The Supreme Court, in a recent hearing, directed the metro rail body, Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), to submit a report in regard to the status of work of the Kalbadevi underground metro station. The apex court also asked MMRCL to submit a report about the two buildings, Meher Manzil and Laxmi Niwas, that have tilted allegedly due to Metro work.

Lawyers representing the trustees of Parsi Fire Temples near Kalbadevi station argued before the court stating the Mahim building developed cracks and had tilted reportedly due to the Metro-3 construction work. 

“...We direct MMRCL to file details pertaining to any seismic movement or tremors as a result of construction activity,” directed a bench of Justices U U Lalit and R Suba pointing at the work under the two highest-grade heritage fire temples near Princess Street, Marine Lines. 

The Zoroastrians had previously filed a petition against the underground drilling work under the fire temples in Bombay HC.

Referring to the Laxmi Niwas building, Advocate Zerick Dastur told the court that a November 11 report that mentioned how the Mahim building had developed cracks during the construction activity for Sitladevi Metro Station. He demanded that MMRCL must take adequate safety measures to ensure such a situation does not arise at the century-old heritage precincts of the fire temple.

Meanwhile, local MLA Sada Sarvankar has stated that according to a private company’s audit report, both the buildings are beyond repair. Therefore, he has asked the MMRC to redevelop both buildings and provide compensation to the residents as per redevelopment laws until the construction of the buildings is completed.