Metro work threatens to derail Mumbai in monsoon

The city risks a harrowing time during the monsoon, which is less than three weeks away as in line with forecasts, unless the firm laying three Metro corridors plugs a sequence of gaping holes it has left at development sites.

The BMC has recognized 45 essential places around the city where storm water drains, different drains and manholes had been damaged on account of ongoing Metro-related paintings.

It fears that rainwater drift can be impeded, with not possible consequences on heavy rain days. The civic body on Wednesday issued a spot-byspot to-do listing to the Metro’s development firm to take speedy remedial motion, after ameeting with representatives of MMRDA and Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited. “We visited development sites in April and again on May 5 to gauge the situation. Apart from drainage issues, we discovered that at many puts further water access/exit issues and a sufficient choice of dewatering pumps are wanted for clean discharge of rainwater,” stated a civic authentic.

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It can be a best irony if a venture that aims to alleviate Mumbai’s transport woes as an alternative brings the town to a halt. For all of the good the Metro railway will do to Mumbai, it is unacceptable that the trade-off can be waterlogging during this monsoon owing to the disruption of drainage at the venture’s paintings sites. While the BMC must be recommended for detecting the issue, one wonders why it took goodbye to do so, particularly for the reason that rains are right around the nook. Now, the civic body will have to at least pressure the Metro’s development firm to transparent all drains and manholes on priority.

At many sites, huge underground blockages had been created on account of the accumulation of debris. Overground, barricading close to private homes will hinder surface drift of rainwater.

“The barricades must be realigned bearing this in mind,” an authentic stated.

“Vehicular parking at positive places too is an issue, although we are certain it is going to be restricted during the monsoon as a preventive measure.” Advocate and activist Godfrey Pimenta stated, “I reside at Marol, where paintings on Metro 3 is in complete swing.

That the drains are damaged on account of this may also be clearly seen. There are also massive pits at the paintings sites. We fear these will stay uncovered and get filled with water during the rains.” Churchgate resident Ashwin Nagpal, who lives on Jamshedji Tata Road, where two manholes and a few drains lie damaged because of Metro piling paintings, stated pedestrians can be inconvenienced specifically.

“As it is there’s little house for walking. When the rains get started, if this space will get waterlogged, walking will merely transform impossible.”