05 July,2026 07:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Bhiwandi subway remains water-logging free. Pic/Rajendra B. Aklekar
If you have attempted to walk through a subway in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) during the kind of monsoon we are experiencing, then you know exactly what happens. You are left wading through water, if it's ankle-deep than it's your lucky day but more often than not the water has either reached your knees or even your hope.
While failing infrastructure has become our primary concern this week India's first water-proof subway has just passed the flood test. MMR has been pounded by roughly 200-300 mm of rain at several locations since July 1, with Mumbai itself crossing the 300-mm mark in just two days. Touted as the first water-proof subway, the 68-meter underground passage for pedestrians and two-wheeler under seven active tracks near the Bhiwandi Road Railway Station on the Panvel-Vasai route that was commissioned in June 2026 has successfully claimed its title told Chairman and Managing Director MRVC Vilas S Wadekar to Sunday mid-day.
"The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) successfully constructed and commissioned the waterproof pedestrian without affecting train operations during execution. It has been constructed using advanced hydraulic pushing techniques for the installation of four large pre-cast reinforced concrete segments beneath live railway tracks. The project involved meticulous planning and execution under challenging operational conditions and all of that has been successful as it has remained functional in the heaviest rainfall," MRVC spokesperson said.
"The subway provides a safe and convenient all-weather crossing facility for pedestrians and two-wheelers. It is equipped with covered approaches, adequate lighting, ventilation, and proper drainage arrangements to enhance user comfort and safety. It has significantly improved connectivity in the area while reducing unsafe heavy trespassing across railway tracks, thereby contributing to safer railway operations and improved public convenience," he added.
How is it different? Why doesn't it flood?
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.
Specialised waterproofing measures, including multiple layers of sealing and protective membranes, have been incorporated to ensure long-term durability and protection against water ingress.
The construction design comprises of the following elements
. First the concrete boxes that have been designed so that they are interlocked with the cup and cone method, which means there is no scope of raising water levels seeping through it. A cup and cone method is like tongue and groove one interlocking with each other, not allowing water seepage.
. The next part is coiling around the concrete boxes with specialised rubber gasket which are engineered as high-performance sealing solutions designed for specific environmental conditions.
. In addition, there is a System Dual Protection (SDP) membrane. SDP membranes which are high performance technology offering complete barriers against water.
. The third part is coating the entire thing with chemicals to fill in the voids. The solution finds all voids and fills it in. This provides additional protection against any possible seepage.
Saurabh Raut, commuter
"We've been seeing many subways in railway areas but the majority of them get affected in rains and stay out of service causing inconvenience to people. Hearing about Bhiwandi subway being successfully operational in such a heavy rain is great news. If we can implement this in future subways or see modifications on existing subways, it will be significant upgrades in Rail crossings."
Suresh Mhatre, Member of Parliament from Bhiwandi
"I had been following up by myself and it is a proud moment that such a waterproof, all-weather subway has been built at Bhiwandi. We need to thank the engineers, contractors and labourers who worked diligently."
