Byculla likely to get relief from flooding woes

Over the next few months, the BMC's storm water drains department is likely to begin the work of widening underground drains and expanding the network of drains in E ward which will in turn bring relief from waterlogging in Byculla and surrounding areas that suffer from the chronic issue of waterlogging every monsoon due to certain problem spots in the areas.

"The work is likely to start by next month and we have the next two to three months to carry out the work. This monsoon there will be up to 70 per cent relief from waterlogging in and around Byculla area. Several local waterlogging locations on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, ES Patankar Road and others will be prevented from waterlogging," said Vidyadhar Khandkar, Chief Engineer, BMC's Storm Water Drain Department.

The drains will be widened at five locations to allow the easy drainage of rain water particularly during heavy showers. These are Seth Moti Shah Lane to Patanwala Road, Rambhau Bhosale Road to Barrister Nath Pai Road, TB Kadam Road to AG Pawar Road, Burhani College and near S Bridge.

Once the work on the area's drainage system begins, there are likely to be several traffic issue on the said roads and there may be some diversions as well. As the work involves many roads, the entire project is not likely to be complete before June 2018 however the civic body aims to complete most of the work in time which is expected to bring 70 per cent relief from the problem of waterlogging in Byculla.

The proposal is set to be tabled before the BMC's next general body meeting and is expected to be cleared this month itself in order to allow the work to start from next month.

WORK PLAN

• The work includes widening underground drains and expanding the network of drains in the area.
   
• Work is likely to begin next month and may be complete by June 2018.
   
• Drains will be widened from Seth Moti Shah Lane to Patanwala Road, Rambhau Bhosale Road to Barrister Nath Pai Road, TB Kadam Road to AG Pawar Road, Burhani College and near S Bridge.