The BMC plans to deploy 547 dewatering pumps across Mumbai this monsoon, up from 510 last year, at a cost of Rs 144 crore; western suburbs to get most machines — 223
Workers carry out pre-monsoon work in Hindmata in April 2025; (below) Flooded Hindmata Junction in July 2025. File pics/Ashish Raje
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will install 547 dewatering pumps to prevent flooding during the coming monsoon at a cost of Rs 144 crore. Last year, the civic had installed 510 such machines. According to an official from the stormwater drains department, “The increase in the number of dewatering pumps to be used this year is due to a higher demand from the wards.”
Of the 547 pumps, 146 will be allotted to the island city between Colaba to Mahim and Matunga, 178 for the eastern suburbs, between Sion and Mulund, and the remaining 223 will be allotted to the western suburbs, between Bandra and Dahisar.
Pump allotment
Hindmata Junction in Dadar: 14 pumps. This saucer-shaped low-lying area in Dadar East witnessed over two feet of logged water for up to eight hours during the monsoon. The BMC constructed an underground water holding tank at Hindmata in 2020-21, which has reduced the time taken for accumulated water to recede by more than half.
Gandhi Market: 5 pumps at the shopping space, and 5 pumps in the surrounding areas
Andheri subway: 3 pumps are at this chronic waterlogging spot. According to information from BMC, the ward office is unable to use more pumps at Andheri subway due to a lack of sump pits, holes designed to collect water to prevent flooding. While only one pump out of 3 is set up at the subway, two others are installed in its vicinity.
Who operates the pumps?
The stormwater drains department takes charge of waterlogged areas after offices of the respective wards raise a request. The waterlogging situation is monitored by control rooms set up at the ward level, and pumps are operated by contractors.
How dewatering pumps help
Deployed in low-lying areas, these machines help pump rainwater from the surface to drains faster after or during of heavy rainfall. This can reduce the time taken for water to recede.
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