09 May,2026 07:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
The waterproof subway under construction in Bhiwandi, beneath seven railway tracks, designed to prevent monsoon flooding and water seepage. Pic/By Special Arrangement
In a first-of-its-kind engineering project, Bhiwandi is set to get a scientifically designed "waterproof" subway aimed at preventing monsoon flooding, a chronic problem in underpasses across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The pedestrian subway, being constructed by the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) beneath seven railway lines, is in the final stages of completion and is expected to be tested during the upcoming monsoon.
Officials said the underpass has been specifically designed to prevent water seepage and waterlogging even during heavy rainfall.
Officials said most subway flooding occurs when heavy rainfall raises the surrounding groundwater table, allowing water to seep into the structure from below and the sides. Surface runoff from roads also enters low-lying underpasses during heavy rain. The Bhiwandi design attempts to address both issues simultaneously.
âWe have designed the low-height, waterlogging-proof subway, which will be free of waterlogging in the monsoon. It is a brownfield project and is being done at Bhiwandi passing under seven railway lines - those belonging to Indian Railways on the Diva-Vasai main line and the other two of the Dedicated Freight Corridor. The design has been studied and is now in the final stages of implementation. We intend to complete it before the monsoon sets in, which will be the final test of the design. Boxes have been pushed under the rail lines, and the subway is getting ready. It will be a pedestrian subway, but it will allow two-wheelers and bicycles. No three-wheelers or vehicles will be able to use it'
The waterproof subway is being constructed beneath seven railway tracks in Bhiwandi. It is designed to prevent monsoon flooding and water seepage. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Interlocked concrete structure
>> Concrete boxes are connected using a "cup-and-cone" interlocking system, similar to tongue-and-groove joints
>> Officials said this reduces the possibility of water entering through structural gaps
Specialised rubber gaskets
>> The concrete boxes are wrapped with engineered rubber gaskets
>> These are designed to withstand pressure and prevent seepage under varying environmental conditions
Dual protection membrane
>> The structure includes a System Dual Protection (SDP) membrane
>> Officials described it as a high-performance waterproof barrier technology
Chemical void sealing
>> Chemicals are used to fill microscopic gaps and voids in the structure
>> This provides an additional layer of seepage protection
Raised entry points
>> The subway entrances are constructed at a higher level than the adjoining road
>> This is intended to stop rainwater from flowing directly into the underpass
Feature Details
Location Bhiwandi
Agency Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation
Type Pedestrian subway
Railway lines crossed Seven
Includes Diva-Vasai line and Dedicated Freight Corridor lines
Allowed users Pedestrians, bicycles, two-wheelers
Not allowed Three-wheelers and larger vehicles
Current status Final stages of construction
Officials said most subway flooding occurs when heavy rainfall raises the surrounding groundwater table, allowing water to seep into the structure from below and the sides. Surface runoff from roads also enters low-lying underpasses during heavy rain. The Bhiwandi design attempts to address both issues simultaneously.
