BMC and railway authorities join hands to make Mumbai flood-free before monsoon

Prabhakar Shinde directs joint action for flood-free Mumbai (Pic/Special arrangement)

Stressing the need for close coordination between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Railway administration, Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde on Monday directed the officials concerned to expedite nullah desilting and railway culvert cleaning works to ensure Mumbai remains flood-free during the upcoming monsoon season.

As per an official statement, during an on-site inspection of ongoing pre-monsoon works in the city's eastern suburbs, Shinde highlighted that repairing culvert walls, widening culvert inlets, and installing durable iron screens at entry points are critical to preventing debris from clogging drains and causing waterlogging on railway tracks and adjoining station areas.

The inspection covered several key locations, including the culvert over the Neelam Nagar drain at Devikrupa Housing Society in Mulund East, the Nanepada drain culvert inside Mulund railway yard, the Ushanagar drain culvert, the Crompton drain culvert in Kanjurmarg West, the Gaurishankar Wadi drain culvert in Ghatkopar East, and the Jolly Gymkhana drain culvert near Vidyavihar railway station.

Along with Shinde, local corporators Rakhi Jadhav, Dharmesh Giri, and Dr Archana Bhalerao, as well as Deputy Chief Engineers Sunildutt Rasal and Sanjay Ingle, and Central Railway Senior Divisional Engineer Sachin Panchal, were also present during the inspection.

Sturdy iron grilles to be installed ahead of monsoon

At the Nanepada drain culvert, Shinde noted that waste from a nearby residential settlement was flowing directly into the drain, raising the risk of blockage. He instructed railway officials to install sturdy iron grilles at the western entry point to prevent garbage from entering the main drain, officials said.

While expressing satisfaction on the progress of the ongoing desilting work, Shinde called for faster completion of pending tasks before the monsoon arrives. He also instructed railway authorities to repair damaged culvert walls, particularly near the Crompton Nullah in Kanjurmarg, and ensure that railway cables near culvert inlets are positioned higher to prevent floating debris from getting entangled.

"If all the drain-cleaning works are completed on time with proper coordination between the municipal corporation and Railway administration, Mumbai can avoid waterlogging this monsoon," said Shinde. He also urged the officials to work towards the goal of a "flood-free Mumbai" ahead of monsoon.