Mumbai: Bandra-Juhu belt at risk of flooding. Here's why...

If civic officials are not careful, their intentions to improve living conditions might actually harm the city. While the BMC is constructing the Gazdar Bandh pumping station to relieve flooding in the area, the contractor appointed for it has blindly blocked the main nullah, which drains water into the sea from Khar Road West, Santacruz West, Juhu and parts of Bandra and Andheri.

Last week when mid-day visited the site of the ongoing construction, it was found that the main nullah which enters the sea at Khar Danda, was filled with construction materials and sand. Besides, two very narrow pipes were installed to drain the water into the sea. This nullah (the Gazdar Bandh pumping station is being built at one of its ends), which was at least 60 feet wide, has been reduced to about 20 feet and the only way through which the water can enter the sea is from the two pipes.

Several extensions of deadline have been given to the contractor for the completion of the construction of Gazdar Bandh pumping station, but as of now only 50 per cent of the work is complete

The BMC claims that the construction of the pumping station is about 50% complete and it will be operational by April. But the work also shows that it is unlikely to meet the deadline as some major works like even the pumping station structure are yet to be finished.

Clear the main nullah
Activist Zoru Bhathena from Khar Road said, "The drain receives water from areas like Khar Road west, parts of Bandra, Santacruz and Juhu airport. It plays a crucial role during the monsoon. Currently, the water from these areas enters the sea via this nullah through a very narrow channel (two small pipes). Last year, the whole of Khar Road, Santacruz and parts of Bandra saw major flooding in monsoon. The blocked nullah will create a big problem in monsoon."

Another local resident, Rupal Ramaiya, said, "The BMC is widening many storm water drains in Khar Road and Santacruz. It's good that they are improving them and increasing the water holding capacity, but what is the point of all these works if the outlets from the nullah are narrow? The main nullah should be clear to avoid flooding in monsoon and increase water receding capacity."

Way behind deadline
According to an official from Storm Water Drains (SWD) department, the contractor is way behind the deadline. Recently, the civic body had told him to finish work by March end. Last year in June municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta and senior Shiv Sena leaders held a review meeting on the progress of Gazdar Bandh pumping station and announced that it will be made operational before the monsoon. However, the officials from SWD department failed to follow this up.

The civic body is spending about Rs 120 crore on the construction of Gazdar Bandh pumping station. The work started in 2014 and was supposed to finish by 2016. Several extensions of deadline have been given to the contractor, but as of now only 50% of the work is complete. The BMC has now set a deadline for completion of the work by May.

This is the sixth pumping station to be made operational to reduce waterlogging in the city. The civic body managed to start five pumping stations - Love Grove at Worli, one at Haji Ali, one at Irla, one at Cleveland Bunder at Worli and Britannia pumping station at Reay Road - to reduce flooding. Officials from the SWD department said that seven pumping stations were planned after the deluge of 2005 in Mumbai.

The other side
Speaking to mid-day, Chief Engineer, SWD department, V H Khandkar admitted that currently the main nullah is blocked, but assured that it will be cleared before the monsoon. "The particular stretch where the nullah is blocked, was done by another contractor to widen the outlet and to construct a box drain. The box drain will collect the water coming from Danda village. The contractor is also supposed to construct a retaining wall along the drain. Once the work is over, everything will be cleared from the nullah well before the monsoon," said Khandkar. When asked about Gazdar Bandh pumping station, he said, "Our team will visit Germany on February 20 to see some parts like screens for pumping stations. We have set a deadline of May to complete the work."

2014
When work began on the construction of Gazdar Bandh pumping station

Rs 120 cr
Cost of the Gazdar Bandh pumping station

50%
Portion of the work completed on the pumping station

7
Number of pumping stations planned in the city

Also Read: Mumbai: BMC gives Central Railway Rs 58 cr to widen clogged drains near Sion, Kurla stations