Traffic police lists 200 flood spots, asks BMC to fix them

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Traffic Police has identified over 200 locations that are likely to go under this monsoon. The highest number of flood-prone locations—58—are in the western suburbs between Bandra and Jogeshwari, followed by 48 locations in central Mumbai between Mazgaon and Dadar, and 42 locations in the eastern suburbs between Kurla and Mulund. They have shared the list with the BMC for pre-emptive action. But activists pointed out that despite several measures undertaken by the BMC in the past, there has been not drop in the number of waterlogging spots.
Among the locations that are likely to see waterlogging in the western suburbs are Kherwadi and Kalanagar junctions, RK Mission Junction and Amarsons on Linking Road and several locations on SV Road. According to civic officials, encroachment on Chamdawadi nullah in Khar and Bandra (E) is one of the reasons that has affected waterflow. “Nearly 333 structures obstruct the alignment of the ongoing nullah-widening work. This causes waterlogging in several areas in Bandra (W), including Jay Bharat Railway Colony, National College and SV Road,” said an official. “Currently drainwidening work has been halted as locals have filed a petition in court seeking relief from demolition.” Congress corporator Asif Zakeria pointed that waterlogging on SV Road, which is the lifeline of the western suburbs, disrupts traffic movement. “The BMC spends crores of rupees every year, yet have not been able to give the city a flood-free monsoon. With there being no accountability fixed on anyone for flooding, administrative officials take such instances casually,” he said.

In the eastern suburbs, several spots on LBS Marg, including Kamani junction, Surve Chowk, Damodar Park and outside Nirmal Lifestyle, are likely to go under water. “Over the past few years, we have been undertaking works to ensure rainwater recedes quickly. On LBS Road near Gandhi Nagar, a new stormwater drain (SWD) network was laid. On BA Road, augmentation of SWD network was taken up, while near Hindmata, an additional pipe drain was laid from Lalbaug police chowky to Shravan Yashwante Chowk by micro-tunnelling method, replacing the Britishera arch. We have also taken up SWD works near Byculla police station,” said an engineer from SWD department.
Activist Nikhil Desai said in many cases, it has been observed that SWD lines are not cleaned properly during pre- monsoon works owing to which water is not able to recede rapidly. “Additionally, the water-carrying capacity of SWD lines isn’t increased adequately,” he said. SWD officials said at times when there’s a high tide and there’s ingress of seawater into the city or in low-lying areas, there’s little that can be done. “Some areas are saucer-shaped and therefore water will collect there,” said an official.