1,425 manholes covered in flood-prone areas: BMC
MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday told the Bombay high court (HC) that all manholes in flood-prone areas, across municipal limits, have been secured by covers and protective iron grills.
According to an affidavit filed by BMC in HC, so far, it has secured 1,425 manholes in floodprone areas between Churchgate and Mahim; and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Termius and Sion on the central side. The BMC also assured the division bench of justice Ranjit More and justice Anuja Prabhudessai that if any manhole cover is found to be broken, it will be replaced immediately by the concerned ward officials. Senior advocate Anil Sakhare, who represented the civic body apprised the court of BMC’S monsoon preparedness saying that it has identified 10 waterlogging spots, where heavy duty pumps will be installed to pump out water incase of floording.
He said the corporation has prepared a list of dilapidated buildings, vulnerable spots along the seashore and space has been identified to provide temporary accommodation if residents of these buildings need to be evacuated.
Sakhare was responding to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association in the backdrop of the tragic death of Dr Deepak Amrapurkar, who slipped in an open manhole near Elphinstone Road station on August 29, 2017.
Counsel for the petitioner body, advocate Sujay Kantawala, however, doubted the claims of the civic body and urged the court to not dispose of the PIL and allow the petitioner body to verify claims.