MUMBAI: In a pioneering move for urban local bodies in Asia, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) approved the empanelment of geotechnical and foundation experts through its high-rise committee (HRC) in January. This initiative aims for an independent assessment of high-rise building foundations to ensure that excavation and construction practices adhere to stringent safety standards.
The new regulation mandates that buildings exceeding 180 meters must secure mandatory clearance from the HRC before advancing through key construction phases. This decision is in response to Mumbai’s increasingly vertical landscape, characterized by a growing number of super-tall towers being planned on densely packed urban plots that necessitate deep excavations and complex foundation systems. Presently, Palais Royale in Worli stands as Mumbai’s tallest under-construction building at 320 meters, with other towering structures like Lokhandwala Minerva, Piramal Aranya Arav, and Lodha World One shaping the city’s skyline, along with many proposals still under consideration.
“This is a significant advancement in ensuring the safety of building foundations. Our high-rise committee evaluates the suitability of foundation designs based on soil and rock conditions, ensuring that excavations are conducted safely and that adequate measures are in place to protect nearby structures and underground utilities,” explained Deepankar Choudhury, a geotechnical and foundation expert from IIT Bombay and a member of the BMC’s HRC. “This process includes reviewing soil and rock investigation reports, shoring systems, and other precautions employed during the deep digging required for basements and foundations.” Previously, these concerns were primarily addressed and approved by structural engineers hired by developers during the building approval process.
However, a series of recent foundation and shoring failures highlighted deficiencies in foundation quality, prompting the BMC to seek specialized oversight from geotechnical consultants as independent signatories responsible for foundation and geotechnical design.
Choudhury noted that the committee tasked with empaneling geotechnical consultants will feature independent senior engineers from both academia and industry with relevant technical expertise. This will introduce an essential additional layer of scrutiny before projects with deep foundations proceed. “As dense construction often happens mere meters away from existing buildings, excavation poses considerable risks if not diligently supervised,” he added.
By implementing independent expert reviews at the municipal level, the BMC aims to mitigate these risks and ensure that foundation construction for super-tall buildings adheres to the highest engineering standards. Choudhury believes that this initiative could set a benchmark for other cities facing the challenges of rapid vertical growth.
