With the monsoon likely to hit Mumbai between June 7 to June 10, BMC is claiming that they have prepared themselves for the heavy downpour.
India Today reached the top 4 flood-prone spots of Mumbai to do a reality check of BMC’s claim.
BMC has given strict instructions to all ward officer regarding opening manholes during heavy rain. Last year, Mumbai-based Dr Amrapurkar died after slipping into a manhole which couldn’t be located due to heavy downpour and water logging.
BMC has asked all its ward officers to use sign boards and nets at the manholes so that people can locate it easily.
At Hindmata Junction in Dadar, which experiences heavy water logging every year, BMC has installed 3-4 high power pumps on both sides of the road to prevent a flood-like situation. BMC has also created one small flood control room here.
During the recent pre-monsoon thundershowers, waterlogging happened again at Gandhi Market area near Sion. Despite several measures taken by BMC every year, local shopkeepers and residents never got relief from waterlogging. Floodwater reaches the waist-level during heavy rains. That’s why this year, big water pumping machines have been installed here and are kept above 4 feet level.
Mani bhai runs a small scrap shop on footpath near Gandhi Marketsince the last 30 years. “Water comes in my shop whenever it is raining heavily. Every year in monsoon I loose Rs 40,000 as my shop and items gets spoiled. BMC tries their level best but in vain.”
Sion road number 6 falls under low-lying area. However, this area is right next to the railway track due to which there’s a dispute between the railways and BMC over cleaning of nallas.
This time BMC looks much confident regarding their preparation. Although, roadworks are still underway at many places but BMC claims that this time Mumbaikars will not have to face the menace of potholes. If they do occur, BMC has an all new technology to fill them immediately in rains.
