BMC takes charge: Railway culverts to be cleared before monsoon

Waterlogging on the railway tracks between Churchgate and Marine Lines railway station last year. Pic/Ashish Raje

To make sure all culverts under the railway tracks are clear before the monsoon, BMC's Storm Water Department officials will check and certify them by June 5. If the area floods because of a blocked drain on railway property, the BMC officials will be held responsible. After every heavy rain and flooding, the BMC and the Railways officials blame each other. Every year, the BMC pays Western and Central Railway to clean the drains in their area, but when the city floods, the BMC is blamed.

"This time we asked our officials to supervise and certify each nullah in their area that runs under railway premises. If the nullah is unclean, then the concerned official communicates with the local railway officer to get it done before June 5. Once the nullah is certified by our official, and if the area floods due to the choked nullah, then we can fix the responsibility," said a senior official from the BMC. Being a central body, sometimes it is difficult to get the work done by the Railways. But we have to be prepared for the monsoon, so this time we fix the responsibility on our people, added the officer.

Similarly, like the railway, there are issues with Metro work due to which drains are choked up during monsoon. "We are in contact with MMRCL and MMRDA to clean the drains as soon as possible, and it is comparatively easier than with the Railways," said the official. Besides, the BMC officers will ensure that nullahs are cleaned repeatedly to avoid choke-ups during heavy rain, and special attention will be given to cleaning nullah/river entrances into the creek.

June 5
Deadline to certify culverts