Civic body braces for that sinking feeling

Lakhs of commuters in Mumbai are affected by waterlogging on railway tracks during monsoon. Cleaning stormwater drains (nullahs) is an essential pre-monsoon activity carried out by the Western and Central railways and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporator (BMC) to curb flood woes. The BMC, every year, pays an amount to the railways to clean drains and culverts at railway stations. The civic body has paid Rs 4.15 crore this year to the WR and CR (combined) to de-silt culverts.

The BMC, WR and CR held a joint meeting on Monday, with the first survey also conducted to find the best way to go about de-silting. While the BMC has started de-silting drains on their premises, the CR and WR are expected to start next week. The BMC and railway officials will conduct a joint inspection from April 15 to ensure de-silting is carried out properly.

“We put our best foot forward every year to prevent waterlogging on tracks,” said Mukul Jain, Division Railway Manager of Western Railway. 

The BMC and railways are racing against time, as they only have till May 31 to clean nullahs, before the monsoon sets in.

CLEANING BUDGET

Central Railway (CST to Mulund)
Rs 2.79 crore

Western Railway 
(Churchgate to Dahisar)
Rs 1.36 crore