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Stressing the need for close coordination between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Railway Administration, Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde on Monday, May 18, directed the officials to expedite nullah desilting and railway culvert cleaning works to ensure Mumbai remains flood-free during the upcoming monsoon season.

As per the official statement, during an on-site inspection of ongoing pre-monsoon works in the city’s eastern suburbs, Shinde highlighted that repairing culvert walls, widening culvert inlets, and installing durable iron screens at entry points are critical to preventing debris from clogging drains and causing waterlogging on railway tracks and adjoining station areas.

Furthermore, the inspection covered several key locations, including the culvert over the Neelam Nagar drain at Devikrupa Housing Society in Mulund (East), the Nanepada drain culvert inside Mulund railway yard, the Ushanagar drain culvert, the Crompton drain culvert in Kanjurmarg (West), the Gaurishankar Wadi drain culvert in Ghatkopar (East), and the Jolly Gymkhana drain culvert near Vidyavihar railway station.

Along with Prabhakar Shinde, local corporators Rakhi Jadhav, Dharmesh Giri, and Dr Archana Bhalerao, along with Deputy Chief Engineers Sunildutt Rasal and Sanjay Ingle, and Central Railway Senior Divisional Engineer Sachin Panchal, were present during the inspection.

Sturdy iron grilles to be installed ahead of the monsoon

At the Nanepada drain culvert, Shinde noted that waste from a nearby residential settlement was flowing directly into the drain, raising the risk of blockage. He instructed railway officials to install sturdy iron grilles at the western entry point to prevent garbage from entering the main drain, as per the officials. 

While expressing satisfaction with the progress of ongoing desilting work, Shinde called for faster completion of pending tasks before the monsoon arrives. He also instructed railway authorities to repair damaged culvert walls, particularly near the Crompton Nullah in Kanjurmarg, and ensure that railway cables near culvert inlets are positioned higher to prevent floating debris from getting entangled.

He also added, “If all drain-cleaning works are completed on time with proper coordination between the municipal corporation and Railway Administration, Mumbai can avoid waterlogging this monsoon.” He also urged the officials to work towards the goal of a “flood-free Mumbai” ahead of the monsoon.