Central Railway needs Mahul pumping station, its water engines to counter track flooding

Flooded tracks at Chunabhatti station on June 9. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

With flooding spots continuing to detain trains, an analysis of last month's flooding has stressed the need to expedite work on Mahul pumping station even as Central Railway has built "Megh Veer" class of water engines to pull out local trains stranded in water in case of emergencies. The setting up of a pumping station at Mahul had also been recommended by the Chitale Committee after the 2005 deluge, though it still remains on paper.

Megh Veer engine of Central Railway that can work even when water is 12 inches above track level

A report on the June 9 flooding says there was a rainfall of 183 mm at Sion and 213 mm at Chunabhatti between 7 am to 2 pm. The total rainfall recorded in 24 hours that day was 295 mm. As per BMC's official statistics, the drains there can take rainfall up to 25 to 30 mm per hour. The rainfall that day was combined with a high tide at 11.43 am. During high tide, as per standard operating procedure, floodgates are always closed by BMC to prevent back flow of seawater into the city, leaving no outlet. The floodgates at Mithi river (at Moon Furniture location) were closed at 9.30 am and opened at 3.15 pm.

Among the suggested solutions to prevent flooding at Sion, Kurla and Chunabhatti are deepening of Mithi along with widening of culverts and a new pumping station at Mahul to prevent flooding at Chunabhatti-Kurla, Chembur on the harbour line.

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As per standard operating procedure, local trains stop when water level reaches 6 inches above the track, while mail/express trains stop when water is 4 inches above track level. The Central Railway has now modified two WDS-6 class of diesel engines named Megh Veer which can work even when water is 12 inches above track level. These two engines will be helpful in pulling out local trains stranded on the track during heavy flooding.

Speaking on the status of Mahul pumping station, a civic official said that the land for the project is under the jurisdiction of the salt commissioner, which falls under the central government, and the area is surrounded by mangroves, leading to environmental concerns. BMC is following up with the salt commissioner, said the official.