Mumbai rains: Work is underway to cover 73,000 manholes, says Mayor Kishori Pednekar

Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar. File Pic

Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Thursday said that 458 pumps have been installed to drain rainwater and work is underway to cover 73,000 manholes.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rains in Maharashtra for the next five days.

While speaking to media, Pednekar on Thursday said, "A total of 458 pumps have been installed, especially near railway tracks. We are continuously pumping out the rainwater."

Talking about the incident where two women fell in a manhole at Pedneka, she said that the fiber protective cover bent due to which they fell in that.

Also Read: Mumbai: IMD issues orange alert with heavy rain forecast at isolated places

"Thursday's incident was due to the fibre protective cover of the manhole which got displaced due to water pressure. I visited the site and got it fixed. The women were marked safe," she said.

"There are 73,000 manholes in Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) jurisdiction. Most of them already have protective grills and we are trying to cover all the manholes in the city," she added.

She further said footpath repair and the remake works will be taken immediately after the monsoon in September.

"Most of the footpaths in Mumbai are in good condition and those which need repair and remake will be tended to immediately after the monsoon in September month. Till then we are trying to keep footpaths safe for the monsoon by putting safe grills on all manholes," added the mayor.

Further talking about the Covid-19 vaccine she said there are people who have not appeared for their second dose on their due dates and we are trying to find out those people have been administered first dose but are reluctant to get their second dose.

"People from slum areas are apprehensive to take vaccine shots, we will initiate awareness drives in nearly 20,000 houses to encourage them. Some people are also refusing to take a second vaccine shot, we'll find them out and vaccinate," added Pednekar.

The city is receiving heavy rainfall since Tuesday and several areas of Mumbai are waterlogged. The local train facilities are also disturbed.

According to India Metrological Department, Mumbai's Colaba received 23.4 mm rainfall while Santacruz witnessed 107.4 mm rain during the last 24 hours.

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