Given the unusual flooding seen in Mumbai this past monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is expected to take up the task of remodelling old drains and widening a few existing drains.
Read - More Than 18 Months After Its Collapse, BMC Issues Tender For Reconstruction Of Himalaya Bridge
The civic body will also have a look at the collapsed drains and divert stormwater drain lines in the event of an emergency. During the monsoons this year, several regions of the city, particularly the southern and central parts of Mumbai saw a lot of flooding.
Regions like Girgaon Chowpatty, Marine Drive, Churchgate, Walkeshwar, Breach Candy, and Chinchpokali had seen waterlogging at unusual levels. Further, Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Hindmata, and Parel also noticed waterlogging for a while.
Though officials from the BMC had initially blamed this on the high volume of rainfall this season, it was later revealed that century-old drains were one of the primary reasons for the waterlogging in some areas.
Also read - Malabar Hill Landslide: Lack Of Stormwater Drains To Blame, Officials Say
A senior official from the BMC’s stormwater department said that a contractor will be appointed to remodel old drains, convert old arch and dhapa drains into new pipe drains, reconstruct the collapsed nullah walls as well as the old drains, and divert drains for an emergency situation.
“The work will be completed in the next one or two years. Island city has the oldest drain networks. In many cases, the drain capacity has further reduced either due to collapse or cavity has been formed. Widening and reconstruction of these drains will help abate waterlogging,” the official said. These restructuring works will reportedly cost Rs 50 crores.
The BMC will also remove trees and their roots that are coming in the way of the drains. Authorities said that removing some trees may require the approval of the Tree Authority. Additionally, the BMC will reportedly install new reinforced cement concrete (RCC) pipe drains in Parel, Matunga, and Worli to reduce waterlogging to a great extent.
Read - BMC Directs MMRCL To Clear Up Drains Near The International Airport
Share
Tweet
