Caution,unmarked utility underground

Work on the five flyovers between Sion Hospital and the Bharatmata junction in Lalbaug,for example,has been delayed by a forced shift of utilities,says the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MHADA).

“We’ve been delayed by a month due to a shift of the water mains in the median. The BMC had earlier given the go-ahead,saying no major utility would be disturbed,but excavation later uncovered large water and power utilities,” said the official,requesting anonymity.

The shift has resulted in a 25-30 per cent escalation in the cost of the flyover project. Costs have also risen for the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road,a component under the World Bank-funded MUTP. “The Eastern Freeway too has the problem of utility shift and delay. There is an urgent need for an updated mapping system,” the official said.

Utilities are classified as those bearing water and those related to power,communication and petroleum. The number of agencies involved has created a huge mess under the road. A senior official of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) said,“Over 20 agencies are involved in supplying the various services and when contracts for projects are awarded,they take permission and start digging without any knowledge of what lies beneath. Though the urban local body does give a rough estimate of utilities under the site,it is mostly outdated as newer suppliers have been adding to the mess.”

Asked whether Mumbai,like Western countries,had a unified mapping of underground utilities,Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak replied no. “We don’t have utility mapping at all areas,but we are in process of superimposing new maps that we’re preparing now. We don’t have updated data of utilities,therefore some mistakes take place and result in cost escalation for projects,” Phatak said.

According to urban planners,utility mapping is a crucial aspect of comprehensive urban management. “Updated utility mapping is very important for urban planning anywhere. Unfortunately in Mumbai there is no accuracy in maps and records are not maintained,” said V K Phatak,urban planner and member of the Think Tank committee of the MMRDA.

Phatak called for better coordination between agencies. “The BMC has been making some efforts to get mappings done but its still not covered enough. There are technologies and equipments available for mapping but they are expensive. The BMC should take up the responsibility of accurate utility mapping,” he said.

For neighbouring Navi Mumbai,aged 38,utilities are not yet a problem. “Navi Mumbai being a young city,we are aware of the laying of utilities and maps are maintained,” said G S Gill,vice chairman and managing director of City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO).

COSTLY SHIFTS
* First Mumbai Metro rail corridor’s cost rose due to a shift of utilities and subsequent design changes
* Pedestrian Grade Separation Scheme dropped midway,due to difficulties in shifting utilities and subsequent cost escalation
* Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project (MUIP) saw large amounts spent on utility shifting
* Five flyovers on B R Ambedkar Road hit water mains on the median,forcing shift of utilities