Four pumping stations to be installed soon

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has plans to install four pumping stations to combat flooding in the city. But since the proposed sites fall under the coastal regulatory zone (CRZ), they would need the Centre’s approval.

The civic body has chosen Haji Ali, Love Groove and Cleveland Compound in Worli and Irla nullah in Juhu as the locations for the pumping stations. The project would be worth Rs200 crore. It has been approved by the Coastal Zone Management Authority, which has forwarded it to the Centre for CRZ clearance. The project would be a “temporary” measure to prevent waterlogging, until the Brihanmumbai Storm Water Drains (Brimstowad) project is implemented in three years. Currently, the only way to control floods in the town is to open up the floodgates at Love Groove and Haji Ali.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Shrikant Singh said the pumping stations would channelise the floodwaters into the sea. The BMC also has plans to set up a pump at Mogra nullah near SNDT university, Santacruz.