Piling activity at pier locations P61 and P61A on the Elphinstone Bridge redevelopment project faced resistance on November 13, 2025, when around 50 local residents stopped the work. Residents expressed concern that vibrations from the rig could endanger surrounding 100-year-old buildings, raising fears of structural instability.
As of November 13, a total of seven piles have been completed at the site.
VJTI Experts Monitoring Structural Safety
To address these concerns, the contractor appointed experts from VJTI to conduct continuous structural health monitoring of the surrounding buildings during the piling process.
The VJTI team has installed specialized instruments, including:
- Accelerometers to track vibration levels
- Crack-width gauges to measure any changes in existing cracks
- Tilt sensors to capture structural movement
Residents were briefed on how the monitoring equipment works and how the data will help ensure the buildings remain safe.
Joint Visit with Residents to Reassure Community
On November 14, officials from MMRDA, VJTI’s expert professors, and project advisors held a joint site visit with the concerned residents. During the visit, experts explained the safety tests, vibration analysis, and the monitoring process in detail.
Preventive Measures Recommended by VJTI
To minimize vibration impact during pile boring, VJTI experts recommended specific precautionary steps, including:
- Reducing RPM of the piling rig during socketing in hard rock
- Keeping noise levels low while removing mud from the auger
- Continuous vibration monitoring throughout the pile boring process
These measures aim to reduce the stress on nearby heritage-age buildings while allowing work on the key infrastructure project to continue safely.
