Ahead of the monsoon season, the Maharashtra government has instructed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take decisive steps to address the long-standing flooding problem at the Andheri subway, a location notorious for severe waterlogging during heavy rains.
The Andheri subway has for years remained a critical trouble spot, frequently inundated during intense rainfall. This recurring issue often forces authorities to shut the subway, causing major inconvenience and delays for daily commuters. Despite multiple attempts in the past, a lasting solution has yet to be achieved.
In a renewed push to tackle the problem, a high-level review meeting was recently held at Mantralaya under the leadership of Minister of State for Urban Development, Madhuri Misal. The meeting brought together local legislators Ameet Satam and Murji Patel, along with senior civic officials, to evaluate long-term strategies and explore sustainable drainage solutions for the affected area.
One of the primary concerns discussed was the role of the Mogra nullah, whose water levels tend to rise sharply during high tide. This backflow effect significantly contributes to flooding in nearby low-lying areas, including the Andheri subway, Daud Bagh, and Azad Nagar.
As part of its initial plan, the BMC had proposed diverting the flow of the Mogra nullah to reduce water accumulation in the subway. The earlier design accounted for handling rainfall intensity of up to 55 mm per hour. However, during the latest meeting, officials were directed to revise the plan to accommodate at least 75 mm per hour, aiming to improve drainage capacity and resilience during heavy downpours.
Authorities have also acknowledged that diverting the nullah alone may not fully resolve the issue. As a result, an alternative approach is being considered — constructing a water holding tank. This system would temporarily store excess rainwater during peak rainfall and release it gradually, helping to prevent sudden flooding.
The administration has been given a two-month deadline to finalise a comprehensive and time-bound action plan. In support of this effort, IIT Bombay is expected to submit a technical report outlining the most effective long-term solution.
Preliminary cost estimates suggest that the nullah diversion project could exceed ₹250 crore, while the construction of a water holding tank may require an investment of over ₹500 crore.
With the monsoon approaching, authorities are under increasing pressure to implement a reliable and sustainable solution to prevent the annual disruption faced by residents and commuters in Andheri.