Mumbai News: BMC Races To Complete Desilting As Monsoon Nears; 417 Dewatering Pumps Planned For Flood-Prone Spots

Mumbai has as much as 386 flooding spots and the BMC will be installing 417 dewatering pumps at the crucial locations. Last monsoon, the civic body had installed 482 dewatering pumps, however with the expansion of certain storm water drains (SWD), the necessity of the number of dewatering pumps has decreased this year, the BMC said in its statement on Sunday.

However, with the rising complaints from the citizens on improper desilting of major and minor nullas and the pace the work is progressing, Additional Municipal Commissioner, Abhijit Bangar had directed the civic officials and engineers to be vigilant to prevent irregularities in the SWD desilting work and transportation. Bangar visited several traditional water logging spots in the western suburbs including the Vakola river, SNDT Nullah and Guzderbandh and directed the authorities to install sufficient dewatering pumps to ensure. 

Elevated floodgates were installed in the Vakola river last year, however, the area was flooded after failure of a pump in the Golibar area. To prevent this situation this monsoon, Bangar has directed to install 12 vehicle-mounted diesel generator pumps, which should be ready to respond quick in emergencies. 

Meanwhile, the BMC will be construction a box drains near the Grant Hyatt hotel, which is a traditional water logging spot. The work has to be completed before the monsoon hits, and the additional municipal commissioner has directed the staff to acquire Traffic NOC to start the work.

Regarding, flooding in the Andheri subway, which affects the traffic movement severely in the western suburbs every monsoon, Bangar said that during the high tide, the water from the Mogra nullas backs up, causing water logging in the low-lying Andheri sub-way. However, Bangar has directed the officials to ensure installation of high capacity dewatering pumps in the nullas so that the traffic flow at the Andheri subway.

However, desilting of the major and minor nullas is the foremost important pre-monsoon activity, to prevent flooding as much as possible. As of May 10, the BMC has completed overall 46.89% of its pre-monsoon desilting target. As per the SWD website, 68.05% of pre-monsoon desilting is completed in the eastern suburbs, 66.04% of desilting is completed in the western suburbs and 49.82% is completed in the city.

While, as of May 10, 35.45% of Mithi River desilting is completed and 36.04% of minor drains desilting is done so far. The BMC has the deadline of May 31 to complete the premonsoon desilting works. 

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