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High tide with heavy rain a nightmare for Chembur and Andheri

In the last 12 years, there has not been much progress on the two proposed pumping stations as land issues continue to pose hurdles for the civic body.

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With little progress on construction of Mahul and Mogra water pumping stations, civic officials are apprehensive that high tide of four metres or more, coupled with three to four hours of heavy rainfall, could flood some parts of Chembur and Andheri. These two water pumping stations are part of the eight pumping stations proposed under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Storm Water Drain (Brimstowad) project, after the 2005 deluge in Mumbai.

In the last 12 years, there has not been much progress on the two proposed pumping stations as land issues continue to pose hurdles for the civic body. According to civic officials, efforts are on to get land at these two places to develop water pumping stations, but efforsts so far have not borne the desired results.

There is a problem with land owner at the proposed site at Mahul in Chembur and the matter is currently pending at the High Court. "For the last two years, there is a court case for Mehul land and unless there is a decision in our favour, we cannot develop a water pumping station there," said a senior official from storm drain water of BMC. The proposed site has already received NOC from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority.

Similarly, there is an environmental issue with Mogra site in Andheri (West). According to civic official, the land falls under salt pan and the civic body is in constantly in touch the Salt Commissioner Department of Central Government. "We are constantly in touch with the department and we hope that we will get this piece of land very soon," said the official.

Unless the civic body gets the necessary plots and secures necessary environment clearances to develop water pumping stations, possibility of flooding will continue to prevail. Flooding-like situation in Chembur (West), Kurla (East), Nehrunagar, Shell Colony in Chembur, among other areas, could not be ruled out during heavy rainfall coupled with high tide of 4 metres or more.

The civic official said that water pumping station is the only solution. "If water is drained out regularly, there will be no much problem. But, this can be done with pumping station as during heavy rain along with high tide can create problem," said the official, adding that, "There is a problem with natural way draining out as it takes take time and flood like situation could emerge."

At present, five pumping stations are operational at Irla in Haji Ali, Love Grove and Cleveland Bunder in Worli, Britania pumping station in Reay Road and Guzderband in Khar.

After the July 2005 deluge in the city, elaborate plans were drawn up to prevent major water logging in the city in the future. These two pumping stations were part of eight water pumping stations proposed for the city, among other measures, to prevent such a deluge in the future.

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