Juhu, Khar to get respite from floods this monsoon

If everything goes as planned, Juhu, Khar and Vile Parle areas will get a respite from flooding this monsoon. Work on Gazdarband stormwater drainage pumping station will be completed before monsoon. The BMC had already appointed a new contractor after the previous contractor was shown the door over delays.

Vijay Singhal, additional municipal commissioner (eastern suburbs) said that the work of the pumping station is going on and it will be ready before the monsoon. The pumping station can flush out around 6000 MLD water per second when operating in full capacity, said Singhal.

In February, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has blacklisted a contractor who had failed to complete work on the Gazdarbandh pumping station. The contractor was given the work in 2014.

BMC's stormwater disposal project (Brimstowad) had recommended creating eight stormwater drain pumping stations to prevent monsoon flooding. Of the eight, only five are functional. Work on the sixth pumping station at Gazdar Bandh has been delayed for at least three years. "The contract was awarded to a new contractor under the risk and cost of the previous contractor," said another official from the stormwater drain.