Mumbai civic body to deploy ‘smart’ pumps to tackle waterlogging

A 2025 image of vehicles plying along the flooded Tulsi Pipe Road in Matunga West. File pic/Ashish Raje

In response to complaints from citizens that dewatering pumps failed to operate in waterlogged areas last monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will now install IOT (Internet of Things)-based sensors on each of its 545 dewatering pumps. A control room will be set up at the BMC headquarters to monitor the pumps in real time. Last year, only 110 of BMC's 515 pumps had IOT sensors. These were installed on a trial basis. This year, all pumps will be fixed with these sensors.

A police officer guides people along a flooded road outside Wadala railway station

110
No. of IoT-based pumps used last year

How will move help

. Will help abate flooding with action controlled from the civic headquarters - real time information on a non-operational pump will ensure water does not accumulate in low-lying areas

. Pumps will be monitored remotely on high-intensity rainfall days

Pumps to be installed this year 545
Pumps installed last year 515

What is IoT?

Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of devices connected to the internet that use embedded sensors to send and receive data in real time. They track key parameters, detect issues, relay information to a central dashboard, and can trigger automated actions, enabling a swift response. IoT enables faster, proactive intervention, ensuring critical systems continue running smoothly, especially during emergency situations.

Waterlogging spots

BMC has identified 496 waterlogging spots, of which 403 spots have already been fixed. Of the remaining 93 spots, 13 will be repaired before the monsoon. The 80 waterlogging spots that remain will be handled using dewatering pumps. Pumps will also be used at other chronic waterlogging spots such as Hindmata, Gandhi Market, Andheri Subway, and Milan Subway.

Officials Speak

‘Quicker decision-making'
Ashwini Bhide, municipal commissioner
‘A dedicated control room will be set up at the BMC headquarters to monitor the operational pumps. The dashboard will give feedback about whether pumps are functioning. While citizens will not be able to access this information, it will help BMC with quicker decision-making.'

Only ‘smart' pumps
Abhijit Bangar, additional municipal commissioner
‘Last year, we received complaints from citizens that some pumps were not operational at waterlogging spots. By the time we received this information and checked on the ground, waterlogging had occurred. To prevent similar scenarios, all pumps will be smart pumps this year.'