In preparation for the upcoming monsoon season, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated an extensive flood mitigation programme aimed at addressing waterlogging issues that have historically disrupted daily life and public transport across the city. Following the severe rainfall and railway disruptions experienced in July 2024, especially in the eastern suburbs, a series of targeted interventions are being planned, with a heavy focus on technology and structural upgrades.
The civic authorities have decided to install additional dewatering pumps at several high-risk locations that are known to experience water accumulation during heavy rains. These pumps are being equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, enabling real-time monitoring of their performance. The live data will be routed to the Disaster Management Control Room, which will help ensure quicker response and more efficient coordination during peak flooding incidents.
One of the most critical areas identified last monsoon was Mankhurd, where waterlogging on railway tracks severely affected local train services. To address this, the BMC has proposed setting up a Mini Pumping Station within the railway premises. The facility is expected to include a storage tank and three high-capacity pumps, each designed to handle 3,000 cubic metres of water per hour. While the tendering process is underway, road development associated with the project is anticipated to be completed before the monsoon begins.
The accumulated rainwater from the Mankhurd underpass is planned to be diverted 800 metres westward through a pipeline into the creek. Additionally, the nala near Maharashtra Nagar is scheduled to be deepened and widened. Civic officials have mentioned that the survey and tendering processes are expected to be completed in time for work to commence by October 1, with completion targeted before the 2026 monsoon.
In Chembur, the Shell Colony and Tembe Bridge areas have consistently experienced monsoon flooding. A long-term solution is now being implemented, where rainwater will be directed into the sewer network through the use of pumps, in addition to constructing a dedicated stormwater drain. Narrow drains near Tembe Bridge are also being expanded, and additional high-capacity pumps are planned to be installed. In Kurla West’s Chandrodya Society, drainage issues worsened due to metro construction activities, which led to the blockage of a stormwater drain by a metro pillar. To overcome this, the BMC has constructed a new parallel drain to maintain water flow and reduce flooding in the area.
At Dadar’s Hindmata junction, a previously flood-prone zone, a storage tank had already been constructed. The civic body now plans to install flow meters on the tank to monitor water discharge levels and ensure all seven pumps work at equal capacity, thereby improving overall system efficiency. According to data provided by the BMC, 453 flood-prone areas had been identified across the city. Of these, work has already been completed at 369 locations. The remaining 55 spots will be addressed in a phased manner beginning in 2025, with completion targeted over the next two years. Civic officials believe that these efforts, once fully implemented, will significantly reduce the city’s vulnerability to flooding and improve resilience during extreme weather events.