BMC awaiting govt nod to construct pumping stations

TACKLING MONSOON FLOODS

To prevent the city from flooding in case of heavy rains, the BMC has planned to build two more pumping stations within the next two years. However, both these projects are presently stuck in limbo, while the civic body is awaiting a nod from the state government’s environment department.

According to an official from the Storm Water Drains department, both the pumping stations fall on the land disputed under the Coastal Regulation Zone I.

The BMC has decided to construct one pumping station in the Mahul area and another one at Mogra Nallah in Santacruz. The project is currently at the stage of floating tenders, but the BMC can start constructing the pumping station only after a nod from the state government.

The area chosen for the pumping station at Mogra, which is spread across 400 hectares of land, is completely covered by mangroves. Also, about 10 per cent of the area allotted for the Mahul pumping station, which is spread across 1200 hectares of land is covered by mangroves.

The official said that these will require rehabilitation, and hence the project first requires a nod from the environment ministry.

He said, "Both these projects will benefit thousands of people living in areas around the proposed stations.

These are flood prone areas as they are around the sea and are greatly affected by high tide, especially during monsoons."

Meanwhile, the BMC is completing all procedures from its side.

It has allotted a budget of Rs 300 crore for this project and will float the tenders soon. It has decided on the layout of the pumping station as well.

Mahul pumping stations is set to have ten pumps where as the Mogra pumping station will have six pumps.