Mumbai: There’s barely a week left for the expiry of the contract to operate the BMC’s Irla pumping station, but the civic body is yet to appoint a new contractor. The pumping station caters to the stretch between Santacruz and Andheri.
With monsoon a few weeks away, the water supply department is hoping a proposal to appoint a new contractor will be ratified at the Standing Committee meeting on Friday.
An earlier proposal had been rejected by the committee in April. If a new contractor fails to take over when the current contract expires on May 31, it could lead to flooding, say officials.
The pumping station at Irla is one of the storm water pumping stations set up across the city by the BMC. These pumping stations play a crucial role during the rains, as they drain rainwater and prevent flooding.
Vijay Singhal, Additional Municipal Commissioner, BMC, said, “We’d put up the proposal before the Standing Committee well in time, but it was rejected. We’re now hopeful that the proposal will be passed in Friday’s meeting. There is no cause for concern. Once the proposal is passed, a new contractor will take over soon. Necessary precautions will be taken.”
The water supply department has shortlisted M/s AEW Electricals Pvt. Ltd. for the ₹39-crore operation. The contract is for seven years, and covers operation and maintenance of the pumping station.
