Gadkari suggests measures to control flood situation in Mumbai; writes to CM

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, on Wednesday wrote a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to draw his attention to the floods in Mumbai during monsoon season every year. 

“Mumbai suffers huge losses due to the floods which include loss of lives, property and damage to infrastructure as well. I feel that there is an urgent need to prepare a plan to handle flood situation to avoid losses,” Gadkari wrote.

In his letter dated October 14, 2020, Gadkari has suggested measures to control the flood situation in Mumbai which would reduce the damage to infrastructure and roads. He said that the flood and drainage water should be diverted towards Thane and it can be stored in the dam by special treatment. 

“Rainwater adds to the level of the sea in Mumbai and backwaters hamper passage of drainages which creates a complex problem of disposal and passage of water. If systematically planned, floodwater, drainage and sewerage can be diverted towards Thane and entire diverted influx can be stored in a dam after treating this water in mid-way,” the letter read. 

This water can be used for irrigation, industries around the city and excess water can be carried to other drought-prone areas of Maharashtra, Gadkari said while insisting on the need to develop water recycling plants in colonies in Mumbai. 

The Union Minister further said that the government needs to take up the project to convert all city roads into the cement concrete roads in order to minimise the flood risk since tar roads don’t sustain heavy rains. 

“Plans should be prepared for the repair of infrastructure and roads after floods. The problems of floods, drainage management, sewerage, potable water in Mumbai should be given an integrated though as the issues are interlinked. The state government can hand over the task to some international consultant to study and prepare DPR to handle these problems,” Gadkari said. 

Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) should take the lead to work with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other municipal bodies. They can plan and execute the scheme to bring relief to the people living in Mumbai and its surrounding areas. 

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