The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently established a eight-member committee responsible for determining whether the historic 135-year-old Malabar Hill reservoir requires reconstruction or repairs. The committee will also bear the responsibility for any adverse outcomes resulting from their decision, according to BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal.
Crucial Decision-Making
Commissioner Chahal stressed the committee's vital role in protecting the iconic Hanging Gardens reservoir, underscoring its potential to impact south Bombay's water supply significantly. He emphasized the committee's expertise and responsibility for recommending either reservoir construction or repair. Chahal also highlighted the committee's substantial representation from IIT Bombay, stating that 50% of its members hail from this prestigious technical institution, making their report the primary basis for decisions. Meanwhile, in the event of a reservoir collapse, it is estimated that south Mumbai could face a water shortage lasting two to three years. This underscores the critical nature of the committee's decision and the need for a well-informed and unbiased assessment of the reservoir's condition.
Origins of the Committee
An article in the Hindustan Times mentoned that the committee's creation was prompted by concerns raised by local residents, including Alp Seth and Vasudev Nori. They highlighted two critical issues to Commissioner Chahal: the repair of the old 180MLD reservoir and the construction of a 90MLD backup tank, expressing doubts about BMC's effectiveness in addressing these matters. Chahal elaborated on their concerns, acknowledging the need to address both repair and backup tank construction. The newly-formed committee includes a roster of eminent experts in the field. Among its members are professors Ashok Goyal, RS Jangid, Jothi Prakash, and Dasaka Murthy from IIT Bombay, local representative architect Rahul Kadri, independent structural engineers Alp Seth and Vasudev Nori, and Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Special Engineering) C H Kandalkar.
Furthermore, to address these concerns, the suggestion was made by Chahal to establish a committee with three professors from IIT Bombay. Instead of BMC recommending names, it was proposed that a letter be written to Subhasis Chaudhuri, the director of IIT Bombay, to independently select the three experts.
Final Decision-Making Authority
The importance of this committee, consisting of six experts and one BMC member, was stressed by Chahal as the final stage of decision-making regarding the reservoir's future. It was affirmed that this represents the last committee formed with these six experts and a member from BMC, with no further steps possible. The municipality's actions will be guided by the committee's recommendations, whether that entails constructing a new reservoir or opting for repairs. When questioned about the potential cost of appointing these experts, the significance of the decision's impact was underscored by Chahal, stating that in this case, their decision holds greater importance than the cost.
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