Mumbai: Hindmata, Byculla get monsoon-ready

An ongoing pre monsoon project work to help to drain out water at Hindmata junction will be completed on time. Byculla too will be flood free as 90 per cent work of a new 1800 mm pipeline from Lalbaug Police Chowki to Shrawan Yashwante Chowk has been completed. The initial work for this additional pipeline was delayed due to underground utility cables.

Hindmata is considered as the most crucial junction and water from surrounding areas like Parel, Lalbaug and Dadar area gets accumulated here.

Britannia pumping station which is 5 km away failed to solve the problem. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had then initiated three-part storm water drain project to intercept the flow of water before it reached Hindmata. Out of three, two parts were scheduled to be complete before monsoon 2019, but the delay in the permission of cutting trees halted first part of converting British Era Arch drain into box drain leading from BJ Devrukhkar Marg to Madkebuwa Chowk on Dr Babasahed Ambedkar Road.

The second part was to construct another pipeline of 1800 mm diameter from Lalbaug Police Chowki to Shrawan Yashwante Chowk. There is an existing British Era Arch drain of 3000 mm width and 2700 mm height. BMC had laid another pipeline to depressurise the existing system and improve the flow of water. The work of laying 930 meters pipeline through narrow Chivda gully (near Lalbaug cha Raja) is almost done through micro-tunnelling. "We have completed work of 820 meters of the pipeline and the remaining work will be completed before June. The Byculla will be flood free post the completion of this project," said an officer from the storm water drainage department.

"The work was delayed because of utility cables under the road, and there were two instances of bursting water pipeline. This affected the traffic and created chaos. But finally this will be completed before monsoon and people will get relief from waterlogging," said Anil Kokil, local corporator.

The third part of the project of laying drain pipe from MD College to Lalbaug police station is underway. The 50 per cent work has been completed as per the information from the BMC officer.

Hindmata Project

• First part: BJ Devrukhkar Marg to Madkebua Chowk: Converting of 2 arch drain pipeline of 900 mm (width) & 1200 mm (height) each & 750 m in length into 3000 mm width & 1200 mm box drain.  The work on 240-meter stretch (out of 750 meters) is completed.
• Second part: Lalbaug Police Chowki to Shrawan Yashwante Chowk: The additional pipeline of 1800 mm diameter and 900-meter length is being installed.  The 90 per cent of work is completed.
• Third part: MD College to Lalbaug Police Station: The existing 1000 mm diameter pipeline will be converted into 1200 mm to 1800 mm diameter.