BMC to build box drain at Andheri subway to curb flooding in rains

MUMBAI: To abate the chronic flooding in Andheri subway, which turns into a spot for traffic congestion during the monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will construct a box drain below the railway crossing near it. The BMC floated tenders for it in November.

If all goes according to the BMC’S plan, construction of the box drain, which is set to cost ₹63.88 crore, will kick off in the beginning of 2019 and will be completed in 18 months. The drain will run from HF Society in Andheri (East) in K-east ward to the junctionofbhardawadiroadand SV Road in Andheri (West) in K-west ward. This is expected to help discharge water logged at the mouth of the subway through a culvert at the beginning of SV Road into Mogra Nullah in Andheri (West). The drain will be 3m in length and 2.5m in width.

A senior official said, “We plan to use trenchless technology for the construction as the Andheri subway is already narrow and the drain will run below the railway crossing. Work will start after the final go-ahead from the Railways.” Trenchless technology will minimise traffic jams in the area during the construction.

The project was initially planned as part of the BMC’S plan to mitigate flooding in several parts of the western suburbs. The BMC will not work on the project during the three months of monsoon. EESHANPRIYA MS