The Brihanmumbai Municipal corporation (BMC) will be installing 298 de-watering pumps this monsoon to prevent major flooding. There are several locations in Mumbai where water logging cannot be avoided, either because of the topography or incomplete storm water drain (SWD) work.
The de-watering pumps will help recede the rain water faster, thereby preventing flooding.
Residents and activists, however, complain that many-a-times, the pumps do not work during crisis situations.
Some of the locations where maximum de-watering pumps will be installed are Borivali, Malad, Kurla, Chembur, Dadar, Parel, Sion, Matunga, Bandra, and Andheri. Additionally, two de-watering pumps will be installed in KEM hospital, three in Sion hospital, and one in BMC head office's basement.
The SWD department of the BMC accepts that there have been situations when the de-watering pumps got submerged during severe water logging, and sometimes the diesel in the pumps get over. However, there's no debating the fact that at flood-prone locations, these pumps help recede rain water faster.
DNA had reported last year that around 13 de-watering pumps in the city got sub-merged during the August 29 deluge, while many were not operational due to lack of diesel.
Activist Anil Galgali said, "I have seen situations when it starts raining heavily and the pumps need to be started, the operator is no where to be found. Some pumps are old. These are things that do not allow the de-watering system give optimal performance.
SLEW OF INSTALLMENTS
- Some of the locations where maximum dewatering pumps will be installed are Borivali, Malad, Kurla, Chembur, Dadar, Parel, Sion, Matunga, Bandra, and Andheri. Additionally, two de-watering pumps will be installed in KEM hospital, three in Sion hospital, and one in BMC head office’s basement.
