As part of its annual monsoon preparedness plan, the BMC had directed that all mini-pumping stations be fully operational by May 25 to drain water from low-lying areas and ensure smooth vehicular movement during heavy rain
Heavy waterlogging was reported in low-lying areas such as Hindmata (seen above), Gandhi Market, Yellow Gate and Chunabhatti. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh each on the contractors of four mini-pumping stations deployed at the Hindmata, Gandhi Market, Yellow Gate and Chunabhatti areas for failing to set up and run the water pumping systems with adequate capacity as per the terms of the contract.
As part of its annual monsoon preparedness plan, the BMC had directed that all mini-pumping stations be fully operational by May 25 to drain water from low-lying areas and ensure smooth vehicular movement during heavy rain. Ten such mini-pumping stations have been set up across the city, and their operations are managed through private contractors selected via tenders.
On Monday, Mumbai witnessed the first spell of monsoon showers, recording over 250 mm of rain at several locations in just 13 hours.
While the civic body’s emergency response teams were deployed across the city, heavy waterlogging was reported in low-lying areas such as Hindmata, Gandhi Market, Yellow Gate and Chunabhatti.
BMC’s probe revealed that the pumping stations in these areas had not been activated on time or were operating below capacity, further worsening the issue of waterlogging and leading to traffic disruptions and inconvenience to residents. In the vicinity of the Masjid Railway Station, waterlogging also briefly affected the Mumbai suburban rail services.
Notably, even though Chunabhatti received less rainfall, the pumping system there was not operating at full capacity.
Taking serious note of the lapses, the civic body has imposed a collective fine of Rs 40 lakh on the contractors responsible for these stations, citing violations of tender conditions and inadequate system performance. The BMC reiterated that any negligence or shortcoming in monsoon preparedness will not be tolerated, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible.
On Monday, Mumbai woke up to chaos as the southwest monsoon arrived 16 days early, bringing the city’s wettest May day in 107 years. With over 295 mm of rainfall recorded at Colaba, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had upgraded its warning to a red alert on Monday, signalling more intense rain was on the way.
The Colaba downpour shattered the previous May record of 279.4 mm set in 1918, while other areas like Bandra, Juhu, Sion, and Chembur saw 30–70 mm by 11 am. The early monsoon onset has left key parts of the city, especially South and South Central Mumbai, waterlogged, disrupting roads, railways, and even hospitals.
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