Library moves Bombay HC against MMRC

Mumbai: JN Petit library has filed a petition against the MMRC in the Bombay high court for allegedly causing damage to their property at D. N. Road, Fort. The petition has sought the court’s directions for the building’s repair by the MMRC. The library’s staff had alleged that the dredging and drilling for Metro III has adversely impacted the building housing the library. Recently, a 100kg decorative chunk fell off from the building, alleged an employee. However, MMRC has refuted the allegations.

“Our general consultant has examined the incident and has come to the conclusion that the damage has not been because of the Metro III work, but by the deterioration of the grouting material of this member (the library), coupled with a branch of a tree hitting the affected property under windy conditions, thereby causing the fall, ” said a MMRC spokesperson. He also said, “We at, MMRC, would like to reiterate that necessary monitoring instruments have been installed at all the buildings in vicinity of the construction; and that the affected element of the building is about 20 meters away from the construction site and had fallen in early morning when no construction was going on,” he said.

The plea states that ornamental and decorative finial on top of the library’s building fell and broke on August 25 due to the alleged tremendous and unmonitored vibrations of Metro III work on D.N. Road. It also alleged that the MMRC is not taking any steps to ensure the safety of the Grade II A heritage structure. It called for directions to MMRC for preserving the heritage building by ceasing Metro III work along the D.N. Road stretch until a comprehensive survey of all heritage buildings on the road is done.

The matter was listed before Chief Justice  Manjula Chellur and Justice N.M Jamdar on September 11. However according to the library, MMRC workers have approached them to protect the remaining decorative pieces using thermocol covers and wooden pillars.