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“A timely structural audit of large structures is always helpful. The three dams are city’s oldest dams and have weathered the 26/7 deluge and other flooding situation. Hence, it is important at this juncture to know what more can they tolerate. This is the first time we are undertaking such an audit,” said Pramod Charankar, deputy municipal commissioner, water supply projects.
According to Charankar, the Tulsi dam is around 120 years old, Vihar is 150 years old and Powai is 110 years old. The civic body will be spending Rs 75 lakh for this project. The survey, required to carry out the structural audit, will be started by March and is expected to get over before the monsoon starts. The survey will be carried out by state run-Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI). “We will check if the dams don’t have any gaping holes or cracks in them. Also, the core areas will be checked to study its strength. This will be done without disturbing the vicinity or the core areas of the dam,” said Charankar.
The purpose of the survey will also be to know how well the dams can weather floods and flood situation. “Since the city receives heavy rainfall, we need to know how well the dams can tackle heavy monsoons, floods and flash floods. Hence, this study is very important,” said Charankar. A weak dam poses the danger of collapsing due to sliding or overturning. “If a dam is found with major cracks in them, preventive measures will have to be taken. In such a scenario, we will have to come up with strengthening measures, which will be drawn out after studying maximum observed flood, that has occurred in the catchment area,” said Charankar.
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