Mumbai monsoon preparations: Central Railway identifies 24 vulnerable flood-prone locations ahead of rains

The Railways will provide 161 pumps, while the BMC will deploy 31 to ensure seamless operations and the safety of passengers, an official said

The Central Railway on Friday said that it has identified 24 vulnerable flood-prone spots on its suburban network and pumps will be provided to clear water from the tracks in these areas as part of Mumbai monsoon preparations, reported the PTI.

The Railways will provide 161 pumps, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will deploy 31 to ensure seamless operations and the safety of passengers on its network, an official said, as per the PTI.

This year, the capacity of pumps has been increased from 12.5 HP to 100 HP, he said.

As per a release issued by the Central Railway, Masjid, Mazgaon yard, Byculla, Chinchpokli, Currey Road, Parel, Dadar, Matunga, Sion, Kurla, Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, Bhandup, and Mulund are some of the vulnerable locations on the main line, according to the PTI.

Sewri, Wadala, Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, Chunabhatti, and Tilak Nagar stations on the Harbour Line are also vulnerable to flooding, it stated, the news agency reported on Friday.

The Central Railway's suburban network includes the Main Line extending from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Kasara and Khopoli, the Harbour Line from CSMT to Goregaon and Panvel, Trans-Harbour Line between Thane-Vashi-Panvel and the line between Belapur-Sewood-Uran.

Micro-tunneling work is in progress at three locations at Vikhroli-Kanjurmarg, Kanjurmarg and Sion, and 92 culverts on the suburban network have been cleaned, the release said.

The work of cutting and trimming 156 trees has been completed, it stated.

The Central Railway will keep close liaison with the meteorological department, disaster management cell and staff deputed at the flood-prone areas for continuous monitoring and constant updates, the release said.

The Central Railway has also targeted de-silting and cleaning 119.82 km of drains on the suburban network, it stated.

Meanwhile, ahead of the rains in Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday held a high-level meeting with top civic officials.

CM Shinde also visited the BMC headquater in south Mumbai and reviewed the command and control centre of the civic body.

The chief minister was accompanied by his cabinet ministers including Deepak Kesarkar, Mangal Prabhat Lodha and other senior officials of the city.

(with PTI inputs)

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