Environmentalists Call for Action to Halt Stone Quarrying Near Bhayandarpada Skyscrapers

Environmentalists have raised urgent concerns about the safety of several skyscrapers located in Bhayandarpada, a residential area near Ghodbunder in Thane. The green groups, led by the Watchdog Foundation and NatConnect Foundation, have written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, calling for immediate intervention to stop the ongoing stone quarrying activity in the region. The activists warn that the constant quarrying and blasting in the area pose a significant threat to the structural integrity of the surrounding buildings.

The quarry site is located alarmingly close to residential properties, just 30 metres away from the nearest building, violating a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order issued in September 2020. The NGT had set strict guidelines requiring a 200-metre buffer zone between stone quarries and residential or public structures, with a minimum distance of 100 metres from areas where blasting occurs. According to the activists, the current quarrying operations flout these regulations, putting residents at serious risk.

The continuous quarrying and blasting activities have caused high vibrations in the area, which threaten the stability of nearby skyscrapers. Advocate Godfrey Pimenta, director of the Watchdog Foundation, explained that even a minor seismic event or tremor could trigger a landslide or building collapse. He likened the potential effect to a “house of cards” that could crumble under the slightest pressure. The green groups fear that the buildings, already compromised by the ongoing disturbances, are at high risk of structural failure. In addition to the physical risks posed by the quarrying, residents are also exposed to pollution. The high noise levels and dust pollution from the blasting and excavation work are further contributing to the deteriorating living conditions in the area. As B N Kumar, director of NatConnect Foundation, pointed out, this pollution adds another layer of concern for residents who already face risks to their safety. The activists have called for an immediate official inspection of the quarry site to assess the damage and risks it poses. They have urged the state authorities to issue a stop-work order for the quarry and initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for the violations of the NGT guidelines. The activists are also pressing for measures to safeguard the well-being of residents, including securing their homes from potential structural damage.

While the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s office has yet to respond to the letters sent by the green groups, the activists are prepared to take further action if necessary. They are considering filing Right to Information (RTI) requests with the Thane authorities to gain a clearer understanding of the permissions granted to the quarries operating in the area. Their aim is to uncover any irregularities in the approvals and hold the responsible parties accountable. For the residents of Bhayandarpada, the threat posed by quarrying activities is all too real. The fear of a potential landslide or building collapse is a constant worry for families living in the affected skyscrapers. Just recently, a similar situation occurred in Belapur, Navi Mumbai, where a building suffered a cave-in due to heavy drilling at a nearby construction site. The residents of Bhayandarpada are now understandably anxious that they could face the same fate unless urgent action is taken.

As the situation develops, the green groups are calling for swift and decisive action to protect the lives and properties of the residents. The activists’ appeal to the Chief Minister underscores the critical need for a comprehensive approach to managing urban development and ensuring the safety of communities living near such hazardous operations. The stone quarrying activities in Bhayandarpada represent a pressing environmental and safety issue that demands immediate attention. With the potential for landslides and building collapses, along with severe noise and air pollution, the residents of the area are living under constant threat. By urging the Chief Minister’s intervention, environmentalists hope to bring about the necessary legal and regulatory measures to protect lives and ensure that urban development in Mumbai’s peripheries is carried out safely and sustainably.