Mumbai Rains: BMC Penalises Contractors For Delayed Pump Activation Amid Severe Waterlogging, Reviews Dewatering Pump Cut

Mumbai: Following widespread criticism over severe waterlogging during Mumbai’s first heavy rainfall, the BMC has penalised four contractors for failing to activate mini pumping station before May 25. The civic body is also under renewed scrutiny for its decision to reduce the number of dewatering pumps from 482 to 417.

The move has triggered backlash from several wards now urgently requesting additional pumps to manage increasing instances of localised flooding. In response to the public outcry, the BMC is scheduled to review the decision on Wednesday.

Mumbai’s first heavy rainfall on May 26, brought the city to a halt, with severe waterlogging reported in several low-lying areas, including Masjid Bunder, the CSMT premises, Crawford Market, Hindmata, and Gandhi Market.

At Hindmata, a new contract for operating dewatering pumps was awarded in April, and the contractor was given a grace period to activate the pumps by May 25. However, activation was delayed by a day—coinciding with the downpour.

At King’s Circle, only four of the six dewatering pumps were functional, compounding the flooding. Other areas, such as Chunabhatti and Yellow Gate, also experienced flooding due to non-operational mini pumping stations.

“The contractors failed to install pumps by May 25, leading to severe waterlogging in areas like Hindmata and Gandhi Market, which caused major vehicular disruption,” a senior civic official said.

“Train services were also affected at Masjid station, and tracks near Chunabhatti station were submerged due to the delayed pump installation. As a result, a penalty of Rs.10 lakh per mini pumping station over and above the tender conditions has been imposed,” he added.

Following the waterlogging, several wards have now demanded additional dewatering pumps to be installed in their areas, an official confirmed. The BMC has scheduled a review meeting on Wednesday to assess the lapses in managing the flood situation during the season’s first major rainfall and to determine whether there is a need to increase the number of dewatering pumps in the city.

To strengthen its preparedness, the BMC has also ordered 15 vehicle-mounted dewatering pumps. Of these, seven will be deployed across the city’s seven zones, while the remaining will be stationed in flood-prone areas as needed during heavy rains.

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