Indian Express 04.10.2010
Two pumping stations work wonders with rainwater, two others stuck
Stuti Shukla Tags : Haji Ali , pumping stations Posted: Mon Oct 04 2010, 07:25 hrs
Chikungunia
Mumbai: The newly installed storm water pumping stations at Haji Ali and the Irla Nullah outfall in Juhu have greatly restricted flooding in surrounding areas despite high rainfall this season, the BMC says. The two remaining pumping stations proposed under the first phase of the Brihanmumbai Storm Water Drainage (BRIMSTOWAD) project will, however, miss the deadline of next year’s monsoon, officials admit.The pumping stations, at Cleaveland Bunder and Love Grove junction, are aimed at reducing flooding along the low-lying areas of Byculla, Reay Road, N.M.Joshi Marg, Hindmata Cinema, Sakhubai Mohite Marg and Sleater Road. The reasons they face delays are both technical and social.
A 6,000-square-metre plot on the Love Grove sewage pumping station complex had been identified but the storm water pumping station will have to shift, owing to underground utilities (including a major sewage line) and an obstruction in the form of an old bridge, say officials with the storm water drains department. “The consultant said an old bridge close to the upstream location will obstruct the flow of water, reducing pumping capacity by more than half and raising the possibility of floodwater reaching the roads,” said an engineer.
The consultant, MWH Global, suggested a shift downstream, near the Madraswadi slums, but 300 families live in Madraswadi and the BMC cannot acquire the land without first arranging alternative accommodation.
“Land acquisition alone will consume months. The ward office will have to ascertain eligibility and then provide accommodation. Even if this gets done in the next few months, the contract period is 12 months which means it is impossible to get the station operational before July 2011,” said the engineer.
BMC officials are now studying the feasibility of a third location, 200 metres from the original spot on the Love Grove complex.
Work at Cleaveland Bunder too is stuck for rehabilitation issues. Around 90 shanties will have to be razed and the eligibility of families is being surveyed by the D-ward office. The period allotted for this work too is 12 months.
Construction of the Haji Ali and Irla Nullah stations took two-and-a-half years. The former reduced flooding in areas such as Nana Chowk, Grant Road, Tardeo and Mumbai Central, the latter in the flood-prone Milan subway and parts of Khar, Santacruz and Vile Parle.
The cost of BRIMSTOWAD has escalated to Rs 2000 crore, and more than 60 per cent of the work remains incomplete. The project’s second phase includes four more stations, at Britania Outfall on Reay Road, Gazdarband in Santcruz West, Mogra Nullah in Andheri and Mahul Creek in Chembur.
