Mumbai: Floodgates raise hopes of fewer waterlogging woes

Fortified steel flood lock gates at water inlets along the entire stretch of Mithi river and Dharavi between Kurla and Sion and Sion and Matunga stations are bringing hope of mitigation of waterlogging issues in the area this year. The gates will be timed and opened to allow water passage, thus would prove to be crucial during heavy monsoon and waterlogging, said Central Railway officials.

A CR official said, "At many locations, there were issues of seamless flow of water under tracks from railway culverts to BMC drains. It was found that either the surface levels were different or there were some obstructions, leading to waterlogging."

The flood lock gates have been installed along the entire stretch of Mithi river and along Dharavi

"The huge, locked floodgates at the opening of the drains would play a crucial role in stopping the flow of water into the railway area during high tides. The problem is more prevalent at Sion, Kurla, Chunabhatti and at the crucial point of harbour line bifurcation which is more prone to flooding. The entire Sion stretch has been a chronic flooding spot every monsoon. It is also important to note that the BMC's flood gates on Mithi river are placed at LBS Road along the same stretch," he added.

Sion flooding has been a historic issue due to saucer-based terrain at the site. The suggested long-term solutions to prevent flooding by Central Railway include deepening of Mithi river along with widening of culverts, starting of new pumping station at Mahul to prevent flooding at Chunabhatti-Kurla, Chembur on the harbour line.

The Mithi river has an average width of 5 metres in the north end near Vihar lake, and has been widened to 25 m in the middle along the stretch and up to 70 m in the southern end, after the July 26, 2005 deluge.

As per standard operating procedure, local trains stop when water level reaches 6 inches above track level while mail and express trains stop after water reaches 4 inches above track level.

5 metre
Width of Mithi river in the north end near Vihar lake