Residents of Colaba and Cuffe Parade have raised serious concerns after visible cracks appeared in the heritage boundary wall near Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India. The damage, they allege, is a direct consequence of ongoing drilling activity for a VIP jetty project undertaken by the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB).
The jetty construction, launched in March with a foundation stone laid by Fisheries and Port Development Minister Nitesh Rane, has been met with strong opposition from local communities. Two resident groups have already filed petitions in the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court against the project. Despite legal action, construction work has continued unabated.
In the early hours of Friday, Mumbai Police briefly halted operations following complaints from residents disturbed by incessant drilling noise. However, residents reported that work resumed soon after, ignoring both public discomfort and legal restraints.
Vandana Kripalani, a Colaba resident, highlighted the severity of the damage: “This morning, the boundary wall directly opposite our home has developed visible cracks, with signs of foundational shifts and micro-cracks on surrounding parapets. These are early indicators of structural stress, most likely due to unregulated pile-driving, soil destabilisation, and high-frequency vibrations.”
Residents are now demanding an immediate, independently conducted structural audit of nearby buildings, a halt to all high-vibration construction until safety is confirmed, and public release of pre-construction environmental and structural assessments. They also insist on the installation of real-time vibration monitoring systems with data made accessible to the public.
Laura D’Souza, President of the Cuffe Parade Residents’ Association, criticised the authorities: “This isn’t just a crack — it’s a violation. The government’s disregard for legal orders and citizen welfare is both dangerous and unacceptable.”
With construction expected to continue for another 30 months, residents fear for the safety and stability of their historic neighbourhood.
Source: the Free Press Journal
