Mumbai, June 12: The Maharashtra government is ramping up preparations to tackle potential flooding and waterlogging during the monsoon season in Mumbai. On Friday, Mumbai’s Suburban Development Minister Ashish Shelar directed all relevant agencies to collaborate and develop a unified action plan.
During a coordination meeting held at the Western Railway headquarters, Minister Shelar reviewed pre-monsoon preparations with officials from the railway, Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Fire Department, District Collector’s office, Metro administration, and other related authorities.
Present at the meeting were senior officials, including Avinash Dhakne, Additional Commissioner of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Hirish Meena, General Manager of Central Railway, and Pankaj Singh, General Manager of Western Railway, along with district collectors from Mumbai city and suburbs.
The Western Railway reported that a total of 15 micro-tunnels have been constructed for drainage beneath the railway line from Churchgate to Virar, with four tunnels completed this year. Additionally, the number of pumps has been increased to 126 to enhance drainage systems, and 2,400 wagonloads of silt have already been removed.
Meanwhile, Central Railway announced that it has increased the number of pumps to 220. Cleaning of 160 drains and sewer lines along its approximately 350-kilometer route has been completed. CCTV cameras and rain gauges have also been installed for monitoring both railway routes.
Railway officials shared that work is ongoing to deepen and widen the Usha Nagar nullah in Kanjurmarg and the Brahmanwadi nullah in Kurla, facilitating faster drainage during rainfall. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Fire Department also provided several important suggestions and praised the improved coordination between the railway and municipal authorities.
Minister Ashish Shelar instructed that a comprehensive and integrated plan be developed to ensure the safe evacuation of people stranded at railway stations during flood emergencies, reduce traffic congestion outside stations, provide food and water to passengers, and connect the CCTV and information systems of various departments.
He also emphasized the need for a structural audit of railway station premises, foot overbridges, traffic bridges, and hoardings. Furthermore, he directed the preparation of a detailed report on the rehabilitation of 24 dilapidated buildings and some shanties located within the railway boundary near Masjid Bunder.
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