​

The Western Railway on Sunday resolved the long-standing flooding problem near Bandra West in Mumbai by installing larger drainage pipes to cope with heavy monsoon rains.

The project involved replacing the original 300 mm hume pipes, laid over 30 years ago, with 1,200 mm NP pipes at Culvert 22 along the Suburban Traffic Avoidance (STA) line in the Navpada area of Bandra East. The culvert channels water from Ghas Bazar in Bandra East to Chamdavadi Nallah, which eventually drains into the Mithi River. As part of the work, level crossing No 18, pending an overhaul for over a decade due to limited block periods, was also upgraded.

Why it was needed

Culvert 22, originally built during STA construction, had become choked with debris over the years, reducing its drainage capacity and causing waterlogging in Bandra East. Local Members of Parliament (MPs) and legislators had repeatedly raised the issue with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and railway authorities.

Challenges faced

The site posed significant space constraints, flanked by 3–4 storey buildings on one side and a road overbridge on the other. Multiple cables from signalling, telecom, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), and other departments had to be rearranged.

The work involved breaking boundary walls on both sides, dismantling the track using machines, excavating the area, and using dewatering pumps to clear water.

Four large NP pipes were laid, after which the track was relaid and packed. Around 1,100–1,200 cubic metres of debris were removed.

Project details

Pipes: 4 NP pipes, 1,200 mm diameter, 12 m length

Block duration: 36 hours

Machinery: Minipoclain (six days/nights), Farana crane, hydra, JCB, dumpers, transit mixer

Labour: 70 workers deployed on April 4–5

Team: Suburban permanent way team led by Senior Divisional Engineer Ajay Singh Rajput, Assistant Divisional Engineer Akhilesh Mishra, Senior Section Engineers Vivek Pawar and Arvind Singh

Officials said the upgraded drainage system will help keep Bandra and Bandra Terminus areas free from waterlogging during the upcoming monsoon.