If Brihanmumbai Muni-cipal Corporation’s claims are to be believed, then the number of flooding-prone areas in the city have come down from 254 in 2011 to 213 this year.
The highest number of flooding spots exist in the island city (80), followed by the eastern (70) and western suburbs (63).
A senior civic official said, “The number of flooding spots in many parts of the island city came down this year. The BMC has taken various measures to avoid a flood-like situation, for example installing small pumps to discharge floodwater into the sea and creek. The pumping stations at Irla (Juhu) and Haji Ali in south Mumbai are also expected to play a major role in easing out water logging problems in their respective areas.”
Civic officials hope that areas which have a chronic flooding issue like JVPD scheme, Four Bungalows, Seven Bungalows, Versova around Juhu and Slater Road (Grant Road), Nana Chowk, Tardeo, Mumbai Central in the island city will get relief because of these pumping stations.
BMC’s list includes major flood prone areas like Saat Rasta near Mahalaxmi, King’s Circle in Matunga, Hindmata, Milan Subway in Santa Cruz and Kurla Surve chowk.
The BMC has also planned to deploy 186 de-water pumps in various flooding spots to discharge floodwater into the sea. Additionally, control rooms will be formed in all 24 ward offices, alongwith the creation of local rescue teams. The civic body has made a provision of `75 crore for cleaning nullahs and stormwater drains this year. The civic administration has claimed that over 85 per cent de-silting work has been done so far.
“The nullah cleaning work will be over soon. But people should restrain themselves from throwing garbage, especially plastic bags, into the drains, which is the main cause of clogging of nullahs,” said Laxman Vhatkar, director (engineering).