Maharashtra: Residents of the Navpada area of Bandra East, Mumbai, who have been facing waterlogging during the monsoon season for years, are hoping for some relief this time. During a 36-hour mega block that began on Saturday, the Western Railway (WR) completed a long-delayed drainage upgrade. This work replaced a 36-year-old clogged pipeline and ensured water flow in the area.
Under this project, a clogged 600mm RCC Hume pipeline laid in 1991-92 under culvert No. 22 of the Bandra-Bandra Terminus line was replaced with four new 1,200mm diameter pipes in an open-and-cover manner. The tracks had to be raised for a period of time during the work. Approximately 500 meters of debris and silt accumulated in the drain was cleared, increasing the drain’s discharge capacity by approximately 200 percent.
This upgrade was jointly planned by the Western Railway and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This block was also used to repair the busy crossing and level crossing gate number 18 connecting Ghasbazar and Kherwadi. In addition, 28 temporary speed restriction (TSR) works were also completed during this period.
Around 70 workers worked 24 hours a day on the work. Heavy machinery such as Poclains, JCBs, Hydra, and Hiova trucks were used. This is expected to reduce the problem of waterlogging in the area during the monsoon.
Local residents said that last year and previous years, heavy rains would flood roads and streets, causing difficulties in commuting and flooding many homes. Now, with the increased capacity of the drain, water will flow smoothly in the area, reducing flooding.
Railway officials said that completing this work before the monsoon was a priority to reduce problems during the rainy season. They appealed to the public to cooperate in keeping the drains and drainage system clean.
This upgrade is expected to ensure long-term flood control in the area and significantly reduce future monsoon problems.
