Now four mini pumping stations for zero flooding

Mumbai: To ensure zero flooding in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to build mini pumping stations at four places including Dadar, Matunga-Dharavi, Charni Road and Mankhurd. These pumping stations will help alleviate localised flooding problems in these areas.

According to civic officials, the four pumping stations have been proposed in the revised plan of Brihanmumbai Storm Water Disposal System (Brimstowad) project. They will be constructed to ease the burden on eight major pumping stations and improve the city’s drainage system. Of the eight major pumping stations, the BMC has already commissioned six at Haji Ali, Irla (Juhu), Lovegrove (Worli), Cleveland (Worli Village), Britannia (Reay Road), and Gazdarband (Santacruz); while the remaining two at Mogra (Andheri) and Mahul are yet to be completed.

Laxman Vhatkar, chief engineer, storm water drains, said, “The basic aim of these four mini pumping stations will be to ensure zero flooding in the city. However, they will be built only after the works of Mogra and Mahul are completed. The civic body will carry out a feasibility study of mini pumping stations before starting work.”

The four mini pumping stations will have less number of pumps with reduced water discharge capacity as compared to major pumping stations that have six to 10 pumps and more discharge strength.

While the Dadar west pumping station proposed at Datta Raul Maidan will provide relief to areas such as Dadar and Mahim; the Matunga-Dharavi pumping station will alleviate flooding problems at Gandhi Market (Sion), Matunga and Dharavi; and the Charni Road pumping station will bring relief to areas like Girgaum, Tardeo etc.

A detailed study will be carried out to ascertain the necessity of each of these four mini pumping stations, said a civic offcial from the SWD department. The cost of setting up these pumping stations will be around Rs 50 to Rs 60 crore. Hence, the official said that they will have to ensure that the expenditure is justified.

Civic activist Nikhil Desai from Matunga said, “The concept of mini pumping stations is good, provided the BMC completes their works on time. The works of eight major pumping stations have been delayed due to various reasons. It should not happen in case of mini pumping stations as well.”