Mumbai: Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MMRCL) authorities will be installing 241 pumps in the city to prevent waterlogging this monsoon. The decision was announced at a coordination meeting between MMRCL and BMC on Wednesday, which was also attended by officials of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
The BMC has announced several monsoon preparedness measures this year. Besides the traditional de-silting of drains, the civic body has also installed new drains and augmented the capacity of others.
It has installed around 295 pumps across the city. Though only 50% of drains have been de-silted till date, BMC hopes it can cover up to 60% by May 31.
ADVERTISEMENT
The MMRCL and MMRDA will depute a nodal officer each for co-ordination, and officials will undertake joint visits to sites susceptible to flooding during the rains. Metro authorities will visit sites in case of flooding to assess and control the situation. “Both agencies will have a 24x7 disaster control room similar to the BMC’s for better coordination,” the BMC said in a statement.
The civic body said work on diverting storm water drains in Mumbai Central, Cuffe Parade, Vidhan Bhavan, Churchgate and Hutatma Chowk will be completed by May 31. The MMRCL has been told by BMC to ensure there is no flooding near Metro sites on the Western Express Highway and New Link Road.
Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, who visited sites in the eastern suburbs on Wednesday where nullah de-silting work is on, had recently said Metro work will be held responsible if Mumbai gets flooded this year.
ADVERTISEMENT