HC orders structural review of building in Santacruz

Acting on a petition filed by two residents, the Bombay high court (HC), on Friday, sought a report from a structural engineer on the condition of Silver Beach Heaven-1 building at Juhu Tara Road in Santacruz. The residents have alleged that the hoardings put up on the building have weakened the four-storey structure, making it shaky during the monsoon.

Acting on a petition filed by two residents, the Bombay high court (HC), on Friday, sought a report from a structural engineer on the condition of Silver Beach Heaven-1 building at Juhu Tara Road in Santacruz. The residents have alleged that the hoardings put up on the building have weakened the four-storey structure, making it shaky during the monsoon.

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In their petition, residents Kishorkant Bhattassa and Jaswinder Singh Sachdev stated that the structure had become weak owing to the heavy hoardings. Their counsel, Nitin Gangal, submitted that residents experience mild tremors during the monsoon, posing a grave threat to life and property.

Shlok Media approached the society in 2000. In May 2000, it entered into an agreement with the advertising company, states the petition. Despite the objections raised by some of the members, the society, in February 2008, entered into a fresh agreement with the advertiser for a further period of 15 years for a monthly consideration of Rs. 40,000.

Bhattassa and Sachdev have alleged that the hoardings have also led to leakage from the terrace and cracks in the walls. Gangal submitted that the three hoardings have been put up illegally, in violation of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s rules.

The division bench of justice Sharad Bobde and justice Mridula Bhatkar ordered a structural engineer from the panel maintained by the HC to examine the alleged damage caused to the building and submit a report within two weeks. The petition is scheduled to come up for hearing after two weeks.