BMC Bracing up for monsoon

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is expanding its current storm water runoff from the flood-prone coastal road project area in many parts of south Mumbai, as well as installing high-power diversion pumps.  BMC has so far reclaimed 88 hectares of the west coast for the coastal road project, pushing the existing coastal area 100 meters into the sea. 

Areas like Priyadarshini Park, Tata Garden, Breach Candy and Worli witnessed floods during the monsoon last year.  The BMC has denied the allegations, saying the floods were caused by coastal road construction. We are expanding all existing storm water drainages in the Coastal Road project area.  Where the expansion of drains is not completed before the monsoon season, we will keep high-powered diversion pumps in case of floods, “said BMCVS, Chief Engineer, and Coastal Roads Department. 

More details. The Princes Street flyover, Marine Drive, and the Bandra-Worley Sea Link, along the 10.58-kilometer coastal roadway that runs through the Worli end to 13 major storm water levels, officials said.  About 17 small drainage pipelines and peripheral drains will be maintained.  BMC will keep 15 major diverting pumps on standby in case of heavy rains. 

The pumps will be stored at Breach Candy, Tata Garden and Worli, officials said.  In addition, a 24-hour control room will be set up to deal with any problems related to the floods. BMC officials said they were trying to complete the pre-monsoon work before the first week of June.  "Every precaution will be taken to prevent flooding," an official said.  Last week, Guardian Minister Aditya Thackeray held a review meeting with officials of the Coastal Road Department and the Assistant Municipal Commissioners of the three wards.  

He suggested that all existing storm water sources and open sewers in the coastal road project areas should be cleaned to prevent flooding. On August 5 and September 23 last year, there was no flood in South Mumbai, causing floods in many areas.  Areas such as Breach Candy, Peder Road, Worli Seaface and Worli Naka remained flooded for hours. 

Residents and activists blamed coastal road works for "blocking sewers and causing flooding." Debbie Goenka, an environmental activist, had written to the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority alleging that the recovery for the coastal road had blocked the sewers in the area.  He was seeking measures to prevent flooding along the coastal road. Pear Review Consultant Frischman Prabhu Pvt Ltd said in 2016 that it had not conducted a flood risk assessment for the coastal road. By way of recovery. 

This can be caused by the introduction of underground structures or by failing to identify existing drainage routes.  It is recommended that the DPR include information on existing groundwater drainage systems in the form of flood risk assessment.