Mumbai: Matunga residents flag broken drain cover days after mayor’s inspection scare

The open drain in Matunga is right in front of St Joseph School. Pic/By Special Arrangement; (right) Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde inspects monsoon preparedness. File pic/X/@TawdeRitu

[popcorn number=" JUNE 24" desc=" Day Mayor Ritu Tawde Inspected drains" class="Positive"]

Two days after Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde encountered an open stormwater drain during her inspections when a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) staffer fell waist-deep in it, citizens of Matunga have flagged yet another broken stormwater drain cover in the area, questioning the civic body's preparedness to address safety concerns during waterlogging in the monsoon season.

June 24
Day Mayor Ritu Tawde inspected drains

Is the BMC aware?

Nikhil Desai, a resident of Matunga who came across the broken drain cover, pointed out that it is right in front of St Joseph School, and the broken grill is big enough for a child to slip and fall in. Speaking to mid-day, Desai said, "This is a classic example that highlights a bigger problem. Is BMC aware and prepared to take responsibility for the safety of citizens during the monsoons?"

Desai said, "Stormwater drains are typically on the side of the road between the footpath and carriageway so that water can drain off the road, slope towards the edge, and flow into the drain. Because of this, the drains are also designed to have grill covers. But these get broken over time."

BMC registers complaint

A complaint has been registered by the BMC following the issue raised by Desai. A BMC official said, "We have registered the complaint on the MARG [Management And Redressal of Grievance] portal of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation."

Civic body's preparedness

Three years ago, BMC decided to install a double layer of covers for all manholes and stormwater drains in the city, following directives from the Bombay High Court to ensure no mishaps took place due to open or broken manholes. To increase the durability of the covers for stormwater drains, a decision was made to install stainless steel grills below the iron grills that cover them.