Surat Metro Tunneling Work Leads to Evacuation of Six Vulnerable Buildings in Chowk Bazaar
In a significant development in Surat's metro project, six vulnerable buildings located over the site of metro tunneling work in the Chowk Bazaar area have been evacuated. The Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC) has taken this precautionary measure to ensure the safety of residents as tunnel boring operations continue beneath these structures.
Precautionary Evacuation and Resident Relocation
Residents from multiple housing societies, including Krishna Kunj, Nijanand, Hiba Palace, and Baug-E-Altaf, were evacuated over the last two days. These individuals have been accommodated at various city hotels at GMRC's expense. Officials emphasized that this shifting is temporary, with residents expected to return once the tunneling work is completed.
The evacuation was prompted by expert surveys that identified some buildings as dilapidated, vulnerable, or unsafe. A GMRC official explained, "On this 100-meter stretch, the TBM passes under five or six buildings. Some of them are old and dilapidated. All the remaining buildings along the metro alignment are very close to the riverside and have been built on a patch where 4m to 6m of soil was filled in."
Tunneling Challenges and Safety Measures
The tunnel boring machine (TBM) is currently operating approximately 12 meters below these apartment buildings, causing noticeable vibrations that alarmed residents. This work is part of the final 100 meters of tunneling toward the Chowk Bazar station on the 6.4-kilometer Kapodra to Chowk Bazaar stretch. Down line work on this section was completed in August, making this the last segment of tunneling for both up and down lines.
Due to the buildings standing on filled-in soil, GMRC is implementing additional safety measures:
- Strengthening building foundations with grouting techniques
- Erecting temporary structural supports
- Continuous monitoring by engineers from SVNIT and international experts
"All efforts will be made to complete the work at the earliest," assured a GMRC official. "With the completion of this final 100m stretch, tunneling for both up and down lines, covering a total length of 6.4km, will be completed, marking an important project milestone."
Local Concerns and Project Impact
While residents generally support the metro project for its potential to reduce pollution and save travel time, many have expressed frustration over prolonged disruptions. Ajay Chowksi, one of the residents shifted to a hotel, stated, "We completely support the metro project as it will reduce pollution and save people time. However, we want the barricades to be removed at the earliest as our businesses and homes have been badly affected over the past five years. We want the roads to be cleared at the earliest."
Local demands highlight the balancing act between infrastructure development and minimizing community disruption. The constant monitoring by engineering teams aims to prevent any untoward incidents during these critical final stages of tunneling work.
