BMC warns agencies handling construction of Metro line to clear debris to avoid water logging
BMC warns agencies handling construction of Metro line to clear debris to avoid water logging
A Blame game is the flavour of the season every monsoon. This year is no different. The BMC is already at loggerheads with the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) and Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) over who will be responsible for water logging between Versova and Ghatkopar, where the work on the first phase of Mumbai's metro rail is in progress.
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According to the BMC, the two agencies responsible for the metro rail project have been warned that cement, sand and other construction materials are likely to wash into the drains during the rains, clogging them.
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P Patil, deputy chief engineer (roads), in-charge of the western suburbs, said, "We have warned them to get rid of construction material strewn on the roads, as it will lead to flooding."
Added another BMC engineer, on the condition of anonymity, "The main storm water drains at Saki Naka and Four Bungalows have been damaged due to the metro work. Since the MMOPL has carried out only minimum repairs, the water flow will be restricted and in case of heavy rains a flood-like situation cannot be ruled out."u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
No excavation
The MMRDA authorities claim they have started clearing the debris from the site.
D Kawatkhar, chief PRO, MMRDA, said, "We have issued directives to MMOPL asking them to stop excavation at the metro rail site. So, there will be no debris and, hence, the drains will not get choked."
Scapegoats
Meanwhile, MMOPL officials feel they will be made scapegoats this monsoon. "The BMC has asked us to remove the debris, but the fact is that the drains in Mumbai aren't wide enough. In case, there is flooding between the Andheri-Versova stretch they will unnecessarily blameus," said a senior MMOPL official on the condition of anonymity.
No monsoon break
While the civic administration has directed all infrastructure projects in the city to stop work during the monsoon, the construction of the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro project will continue. This is because the metro has to meet the challenging deadline of July 2010. The only other construction activity in the city in the next four months will be that on the Jacob Circle-Wadala-Chembur monorail route, which is expected to start operating by December 2010.
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