BMC to Resume Dahisar Transportation Hub Blasting After Two-Month Halt
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has cleared the resumption of dynamite blasting at the ₹1,481-crore Dahisar Transportation Hub project site on the Western Express Highway in Dahisar East. The decision comes after a two-month halt prompted by adjoining residents who reported severe noise, vibrations, and structural cracks in their flats.
Work at the site had been suspended on June 2 following persistent complaints from neighbouring housing societies. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioned IIT Bombay to evaluate whether the dynamite blasts endangered nearby residential structures.
An inspection conducted by the IIT Bombay team on June 20 concluded that the blasting activity posed no risk to neighbouring buildings. Following the assessment, civic authorities permitted the work to move forward under revised operational safeguards aimed at reducing the nuisance to surrounding areas.
To lower the impact of the explosions, the contractor will implement a modified blasting technique. According to a senior civic official, the contractor previously filled about 25 holes simultaneously for dynamite blasting. Under the new guidelines, work will be restricted to five holes at a time. Additionally, the bore diameter, which had already been reduced from 150 mm to 80 mm, will be adjusted further to diminish noise echoes.
Local residents, however, continue to express strong opposition to the resumption. Mahadev Gondlekar, chairperson of the Madhuban Cooperative Housing Society in Dahisar East, stated that residents do not trust the contractor or the installed monitors. Gondlekar noted that a legal notice has already been issued and warned that residents will approach the court to seek a stay within the next two weeks if the problem persists.
Residents have demanded the creation of a joint monitoring committee composed of civic officials, IIT representatives, the contractor, and resident delegates to track noise and vibration levels. Resident Ketan Mehta alleged that the process was flawed, claiming the demonstration shown to the IIT team differed from standard operations. Meanwhile, civic officials reported that the administration is exploring plasma technology as a potential alternative to dynamite. The multimodal transit and commercial complex is scheduled for completion over the next two years.
