Mumbai: Andheri subway continues to fail the rain test

Screenshot of a video shows Andheri subway on Friday, mid-day’s report on August 10 on flooding at Andheri subway

Milan subway could shed its ‘chronic flooding spot' tag as traffic movement was not affected at the underpass despite heavy rain on Friday. But Andheri subway was inundated and had to be shut for a few hours in the morning. Officials said major work on drains and the Mogra pumping station can keep the area dry during downpours.

A similar scene had unfolded when the city received heavy rain on August 9. Civic projects worth about Rs 200 crore at Gandhi Market, Hindmata, and Milan subway proved to be successful. Though Hindmata and Gandhi Market didn't get much rain and did not need the pumping systems to be activated, around 36 lakh litres of water was pumped out of Milan subway on Friday.

Motorists and locals said Andheri subway had two to three feet of water. As traffic police closed it to avoid mishaps, it led to traffic jams in Andheri. The subway was reopened in the afternoon. Though there was a high tide at 3.30 pm, the intensity of rain had decreased and there was no flooding in the overpass. "It is an everyday story. There are hardly any occasions when the subway remains open during heavy spells. The corporation needs to act fast to solve the issue just like they found a solution at Milan subway," said Sandip Kadam, a commuter.

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"Encroachment on the nullah and pending work of Mogra pumping stations are the main reasons behind the waterlogging. BMC needs to fast-track this project," said Dhaval Shah, an activist and Andheri resident. Another commuter, Karan Jotwani, said, "The flooding of Andheri subway needs to be attended on a war footing as it causes overall traffic jam in entire Andheri. Desilting of nullahs also needs to be done on a regular basis to reduce flooding."

The newly built holding pond in the vicinity of Milan subway seems to be working. Rainwater from the subway gets drained via gravity to the holding pond and is pushed out through stormwater drains by two pumps when rain recedes. Around 36 lakh litres of water was pumped out from the holding pond on Friday.

The BMC has floated tenders worth Rs 100 crore to widen Mogra Nullah from S V Road to Veera Desai Road and divert it from the south side of Bhardawadi Culvert till Crystal Point mall. It has also planned the diversion of the nullah at Veera Desai Road to the Courtyard junction and then to the RTO junction till City Mall. But the projects will take at least two years to complete.

"The tender process for increasing the capacity of the drainage system at Andheri subway has been completed and the work will start in October. It will take 18 months excluding monsoon," said Ashok Mistri, chief of BMC's storm water drainage department. The survey for the construction of the Mogra pumping station and paperwork to get the environmental permission are going on. "The matter is sub judice and we are waiting for the court order," added Mistri.