DEEP excavation work for a sewerage network has reportedly been causing damages to houses in Galali, it has been claimed.
Several residents have complained that cracks have developed in their homes, apparently due to deep drilling up to a depth of 16 metres for the sewerage line.
The pipeline extends from Diyar Al Muharraq to the Dry Docks.
Though it runs at a depth of three to six metres through most areas of Galali, the network goes down to 16 metres closer to the Dry Docks.
According to area MP Khalid Bu Onk, under the supervision of the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry alarms had been set in the houses in the area during previous digs.
However, he alleged, the same has not been done in the current instance.
“When the previous company dug for the Hidd power station, it ensured that the vibrations and tremors resulting from the drilling did not affect the homes of the residents,” said Mr Bu Onk.
“However, the current company involved in the digging work did not carry out any measurements or checks.”
“After the problem of the waterpipe explosion flooding last month, today we have a new problem – tremors in homes and cracks in the walls.”
The GDN reported last month that the member of Parliament had raised an alarm after 1,000 homes in Galali and parts of nearby Samaheej were flooded after water pipes burst reportedly due to high pressure.
At the time Mr Bu Onk claimed that deep digging for the sewerage network had resulted in the homes in the area developing cracks.
“The basements, elevators and even ground floors of 1,000 homes covering three residential blocks have been flooded following deep excavation for the sewerage network,” he said at the time.
“Homes close to the worksite covering kilometres of reclaimed land were affected with huge cracks surfacing and it seems that the vault controlling the water flow under the reclaimed land has been damaged.
“It could be that natural springs have surfaced due to pressure; something has gone wrong and it needs attention.”
Area councillor Saleh Buhazza told the GDN yesterday that he has received several pictures and videos from residents that show cracks in the walls apparently caused by the deep excavation work.
He said he would raise the issue with the ministry and seek compensation for the residents whose homes have been damaged.
“It was discussed during a municipal council session that if the digging were to cause damage to the homes the ministry would take care of it.
“They took it on board and since then we have received several phone calls and texts from residents showing us the damages to their homes,” said Mr Buhazza.
“I will be addressing a letter to the ministry to show them the damage to the houses so that they can move quickly on this issue before the situation gets worse.”
ghazi@gdn.com.bh
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