Cidco to use explosives to raze illegal buildings

Illegal buildings in Navi Mumbai may soon be blown up through controlled explosions if the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) has its way.

Illegal buildings in Navi Mumbai may soon be blown up through controlled explosions if the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) has its way.

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Cidco is scouting for international firms who will help in demolishing illegal or old buildings in Navi Mumbai through the implosion technique.

The implosion technique involves strategic placement of explosive material in a building and timing the detonation in such a way that the structure collapses on itself. This technique helps in demolishing buildings in little time and also minimises physical damage to surrounding areas.

“We are looking out for companies which will help us carry out demolition activity through the implosion technique,” Cidco chief PRO Mohan Ninawe said.

Cidco and many other state government agencies carry out demolition with the help of labourers and heavy equipment but this is time-consuming. The heavy equipment can only be of use till a certain height of the building.

“We use poclands and workers to demolish structures. However, we can demolish only three-storey structures with these resources,” said chief controller of unauthorised construction Sumant Bhange.

Cidco is looking at first taking action on illegal underconstruction buildings which could are between 150 and 200. These building include three to seven storey structures which are located in congested areas.

It was in 2008 that the implosion technique was used for the first and only time in Mumbai when the Public Works Department demolished a multi-storeyed guest house through the implosion technique which cost around Rs 50 lakh.

Cidco officials claim that using the implosion technique will help in undertaking swifter demolition.

“Using of the implosion technique will also help in minimising damage to other buildings in the vicinity,” Bhange said.