Mumbai: BMC racing against time to keep Masjid Bunder flood-free

Work going on at the Yellow Gate mini pumping station

Localities around Masjid Bunder and P D'mello Road are unlikely to get relief from flooding during heavy rain this season. The reason: BMC is struggling to finish work on a mini pumping station at Yellow Gate. While the deadline to complete the south Mumbai project is June 15, officials said they are finding it difficult to install a heavy-duty pump due to a technical problem.

Civic officials said sand beneath the spot chosen for the pump is getting washed away. So far, 55 per cent of the mini pumping station has been completed, they said. "The BMC is facing the challenge of tidal movement. During low tide, sand washes into the creek. It creates problems for construction. The floodgates are also ready. We can complete the work in two days. We will have to consult with experts to address this issue," said a BMC official.

Estimated at Rs 11.7 crore, the Yellow Gate mini pumping station can potentially keep areas around Masjid Bunder railway station and spots along P D'mello Road flood-free during heavy showers. The busy areas perennially get inundated crippling traffic.

"[Once the project is ready] The rainwater will drain faster as this pump has a capacity of flushing out 9,000 cubic metres - 90 lakh litres - of water per hour. The water will be discharged into the nearby creek during high tide," said the official. "We have a deadline of June 15. We are aiming to meet the deadline," said Ashok Mistry, chief engineer of BMC's stormwater drain department.

Sandhurst Road and Masjid being low-lying areas, authorities have been installing pumps of different capacities to reduce waterlogging at these spots. To check the flooding at the Sandhurst Road station area, the Central Railway laid a 1,800-mm pipeline last year.

Work is also underway to set up mini pumping stations at Chunabhatti, Mahalaxmi and Wadala. "The mini pumping stations at Gandhi Market in King's Circle and Hindmata are ready. This will give big relief in monsoon," said the official.

Under its local flood relief plan, the BMC has developed a mini pumping station on the banks of the Mithi and Vakola rivers over the past three years. Officials claim this has reduced flooding to a great extent in areas like Bandra East, Kala Nagar, where Chief Minister Udhav Thackrey's family home is located, and the Government Colony.

Rs 11.7cr
Estimated cost of the project