Corrosion is like Aids, cancer in a building — Experts

V L Parab, assistant engineer and J M Randive, executive engineer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) presented a paper on how the BMC initiated steps and saved a high-rise reservoir with a capacity of 2.8 lakh litres at Raoli Camp, Wadala. The columns on which the 27-year-old reservoir stood had corroded extensively and saved at the nick of time to avert widespread casualties.

Another paper was presented by BMC’s M G Bahadarpurkar about similar restoration undetaken on Goaplkrishna Gokhale flyover at Andheri which wasconstructed in 1969 and had corroded extensively. Had it collapsed, it would have led to a massive accident as it stands over the Western Railway tracks near Andheri station. BMC’s Manohar Sohoni presented a paper on a reservoir at Pali Hill, Bandra that was saved from collapse by controlling serious corrosion to its structure in time.

D D Dasnurkar, principal consultant with Stup Consultants Ltd, observed, “Buildings in Mumbai are exposed to aggressive marine environment. Generally, buildings are repaired without scientific investigations and without using effective construction materials.”

Samir Surlaker, managing director of MC-Bauchemie (India) Pvt Ltd, said while presenting his paper, “When people notice a crack in their building, it becomes an issue of `commotion, emotion, quotation and no action’. People get panicky, emotional, ask for a quotation to repair the building and take no action for the next five years.

This should stop at once and the citizens must have a serious approach towardsmaintenance of the building if they want to save it from collapse,” he added.

Considering the gravity of the problem, the ISSE has planned to publish dos and don’ts on corrosion for citizens as well as structural engineers.