80% of Guzderband pumping station in Khar is complete

Over 80 per cent work for the Guzderband pumping station in Khar has been completed. Now, only some technical work is pending, sources in the city authority said. The stormwater drain department (SWD) of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is confident that the pumping station will function in full capacity this monsoon. The pump can flush out around 6,000 million litre water per second.

The SWD claims that the pumping stating will provide relief in Khar (W), Bandra (W), Santacruz, Vile Parle, and Juhu, areas that get flooded during heavy rainfall in the city. The civic chief had directed officials to complete the work by May 15 and make it functional.

The pumping station, planned after the 2005 deluge in the city had already missed two deadlines. The civic administration had taken action against the contractor for delay in completing the work. After the contractor failed to complete the project in time, the civic body awarded a fresh contract for the remaining work.

After the 2005 deluge in the city, a total of eight pumping stations were planned as part of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Storm Water Drain (Brimstowad). However, even after 12 years, the BMC has been able to start only five pumping stations. The Guzderband was partially started in 2018.

The water pumping stations can flush out extra water during heavy rainfall. Around two years ago, the BMC administration had issued a show cause notice to a senior civic official from the Storm Water Drains (SWD) for the delay in making the pumping station operational.

"We have completed most of the work and we will make it functional by this monsoon," said a senior official from the SWD.

Several areas in the western, as well as eastern suburbs, faced waterlogging with hardly an hour-long rainfall.

While five pumps are operational, Guzderband is expected to start in May. However, the remaining two pumping stations are still on paper as the civic body has not received land due to environmental issues. Even, the civic officials are apprehensive that a high tide of four metre or above coupled with three to four hour-long heavy rainfall could flood some parts of Chembur and Andheri. These two pumps are proposed in Mahul in Chembur and Mogra in Andheri. At present, five pumping stations are operational at Irla in Juhu, one in Haji Ali, Love Grove and Cleveland Bunder in Worli, and Britania pumping station in Reay Road, and Guzderband in Khar is awaiting operational status.

CURRENT STATUS

Five pumping stations are operational: 1 at Irla in Juhu, 1 in Haji Ali, at Love Grove & Cleveland Bunder in Worli, Britania pumping station in Reay Road & Guzderband is waiting to start operation