Cong seeks audit of Mumbai’s landslide-prone areas

The Congress has also demanded a review of development and other work undertaken over the last few years in landslide-prone areas, including Chirag Nagar

MUMBAI: Congress leader in the BMC, Ashraf Azmi, has urged municipal commissioner Ashwini Bhide to order an immediate safety and technical audit of Mumbai’s hilly, sloping and landslide-prone areas following the landslide at Gausia Chawl in Chirag Nagar, Ghatkopar, on Wednesday.

At least seven people were killed, and four others were injured in a landslide near Chirag Nagar, Kurla. (Raju Shinde/HT Photo)

In a letter to Bhide, Azmi underlined that Mumbai has several settlements on hill slopes. He demanded an independent assessment of these settlements by a committee comprising experts including engineers and geologists to determine whether construction and other development activities are compromising terrain stability and public safety. Landslides should not be treated merely as a consequence of heavy rainfall; potential risks need to be identified and preventive measures taken, the letter states.

The Congress has also demanded a review of development and other work undertaken over the last few years in landslide-prone areas, including Chirag Nagar, along with complaints submitted by residents and elected representatives and whether action was taken on these complaints..

The letter suggested that the BMC compile a settlement-wise list of families living in extremely hazardous locations so that families could be temporarily evacuated, if needed, and long-term rehabilitation measures planned.

In his letter Azmi referred to the Maharashtra government’s Hill Station Policy of 1996, which provides a regulatory framework for developing hill stations, tourist resorts, holiday homes and townships in hilly areas.