Following a series of floods in regions like Sion, Chunabhatti and Kurla through the Mithi River, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is considering the construction of floodgates or even a small dam at the front of the Mahim Causeway.
Officials elaborated that the idea behind this proposal is to avoid the entry of seawater into Mithi River, particularly during high tides. They said that pumping arrangements will also be made to remove excess water. Mithi River spans 17.8 kilometres starting at Borivali’s Vihar Lake and ending at the Arabian Sea near Mahim Causeway.
Read - Aaditya Thackeray Meets Officials To Review Project Related To The Development Of Mithi River
The civic body is reportedly in the process of hiring a consultant for creating holding ponds near the banks of Mithi river. This would help the authorities store excess rainwater or overflown water from Vihar and Powai lakes. The consultancy services are expected to cost the BMC around ₹30 crores.
An official from the Storm Water Drainage Department said, “The same consultant will also be asked to suggest suitable locations for construction of dam or floodgates. Mahim Causeway is one location but other places will be checked for feasibility. The appointed consultant will be given one year to prepare a detailed plan.”
Also read - Mithi River Crosses Danger Level Again, 50 People Evacuated
This is BMC’s third project pertaining to the Mithi river over the last 15 years. The civic body had previously undertaken ‘Mithi River Development Project’ after the 2005 flooding in the city. This project also saw the deepening and widening of the river.
Further, in 2015, the BMC started the ‘Mithi River Pollution Control Project’ aimed at improving the quality of the water in the river.
By creating dams, floodgates, or holding ponds, authorities believe that they can curb the flooding in regions like Kurla, Chunabhatti and Sion regions. The issue is particularly concerning as train services in the region have been affected in some form over the past five monsoons.
Further, the water level increase also impacts the Western Line near the Matunga Road Railway Station. This is mostly the case when the region notices heavy rainfall and/or high tides as Mithi River starts overflowing.
Read - Uddhav Thackeray Announces ₹10,000 Crore Aid For Flood-Affected People
Share
Tweet
