DNA Rain Check: Residents fear Air India Colony will be submerged again

Despite BMC assuring every year that Air India Colony in Kalina won't get waterlogged, residents say they see little hope. Every year, even if it rains a little more than usual, the roads get waterlogged.

During the 2005 deluge, many staying on the ground floor, had to swim out to save their lives.

DNA visited the Air India and the Indian Airlines Colony at Kalina on Thursday to speak to the residents who work for the state-owned airlines and are given quarters to reside in.

Vijay Jadhav, who has been staying in the Air India Colony for the past 10 years, said, "Every year it is the same case. We face water-logging issues since our colony is in a low lying area. Rain water collects there as the Mithi River over flows, and there is no place for the water to drain out. All our problems can be solved if the desilting work at Mithi River, nullahs, and drains is done properly by the BMC."

Many residents DNA spoke to were afraid of facing the consequence of speaking against the government to the media, because they are government employees. Many also said that the Air India and Indian Airlines colony have formed a committee for tackling monsoon-related issues.

Suraj Jujhar, whose father works in the cargo department of Air India, said, "We have formed a committee within the colony. The role of the committee members is to report our rain-related or water logging issues to the local BMC corporators."

Jujhar added, "I have been staying in this colony for the past four years, and haven't yet experienced a single monsoon without water logging. Especially last year in August, when it rained very heavily, we had to take leave from our jobs, schools, and colleges."

However, the local corporator from the area — Biran Miranada of Congress — said he fears that if there is heavy rainfall this year, the colony will again be submerged. Miranada said, "We are doing everything to ensure that there is no water logging this year, but somehow I am not satisfied with the pace of desilting work, as only 20 per cent work has been completed. If water flow stops in Mithi River, there will certainly be water logging in this colony and nearby areas in Kalina."

Meanwhile, BMC claimed that 40 per cent of the desilting work of Mithi River is complete. Alka Sasane, Assitant Municipal Commissioner, H-East Ward, said, "We all are alert and working towards assuring that there is no water logging in Kalina and Air India colony. Considering the work we have done this year, when it comes to desilting I can assure that a situation like last year will not be repeated."