Three civil engineers have voiced their concerns over the proposed reconstruction of the Malabar Hill reservoir in Mumbai. In an open letter written to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief Iqbal Singh Chahal on Monday, 23 October, renowned civil engineer and architect Shirish Patel, along with Alpa Sheth and Dr. Vasudev V. Nori, suggested that the existing reservoir could be repaired instead of being replaced.
The engineers stated that they had inspected the reservoir a few years ago and found it to be in good condition. They questioned the need for expanding the reservoir's capacity, arguing that it would not increase water supply, which is primarily dependent on the pipeline system.
The letter also claimed that residents of Mumbai, particularly those living in and around Malabar Hill, were being misled by the plan for a new reservoir. The engineers urged the BMC chief to prioritise the interests of citizens over those of the project's chief engineer.
The Malabar Hill reservoir, built in the 1880s by the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, serves as a storage facility for filtered water. The reservoir is covered by the Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, also known as Hanging Gardens, due to its elevated location.
In 2017, IIT Bombay conducted a structural analysis of the reservoir. The structural report stated that the structure's floor has to be renovated because it is decaying. It also highlighted that lateral load analysis could increase masonry tension and increase the structure's vulnerability.
IIT-B stated that because the building is an old masonry structure, reconstruction in phases is not practical due to the possibility of the arch roofs collapsing one after the other. This would disrupt the water supply for an indefinite amount of time since there is no other plan in place for the water supply.
However, it was also advised by the IIT to continue using the reservoir until a replacement was built, as its immediate demolition would have a negative impact on the daily water supply.
The proposed reconstruction project, estimated to cost around INR 698.5 crore, could potentially restrict access to this iconic location. The reservoir, which has a capacity of 147 million litres, provides water to parts of south Mumbai.
Last week, on 19 October, it was reported that the guardian minister of Mumbai city, Deepak Kesarkar, was looking at the potential of rebuilding the Malabar Hill reservoir without affecting the Hanging Gardens.
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