BMC installs smart pumps and upgrades drains to prevent flooding this monsoon

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has commenced the installation of Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled dewatering pumps across the most flood-prone zones in the city.

These pumps, equipped with real-time monitoring systems, mark a technological leap in monsoon management, aiming to reduce waterlogging that disrupts daily life and transport. The shift comes in the wake of last July’s deluge, when over 100 locations across Mumbai reported severe waterlogging. Some of the city’s traditional dewatering systems failed to perform efficiently, paralysing railway services and stranding thousands of commuters. The inadequacy of old drainage systems has now prompted civic engineers to pair smart technology with structural upgrades to avoid repeating the chaos. The new IoT-based pumping system will be monitored directly by the city’s Disaster Management Control Room, providing live updates on functionality and pumping efficiency. This step not only shortens response times but also enables predictive maintenance, helping the city move towards proactive, rather than reactive, disaster management.

In tandem with the smart pump deployment, drainage upgrades are also being rolled out in several hotspots notorious for flooding. Civic engineers recently conducted site inspections at underpasses in Mankhurd and Chembur, the Tembe Bridge, and near Kurla Junction, all of which have suffered recurrent inundation over the years. According to officials, a detailed hydraulic survey will inform short- and long-term interventions at these critical junctures. A mini pumping station has been proposed at Mankhurd, equipped with high-capacity pumps capable of displacing 3,000 cubic metres of water per hour. The project, currently in its tendering phase, includes a pipeline that will redirect stormwater 800 metres westward into the nearby creek, relieving pressure on internal drains. In Maharashtra Nagar, a deeper and wider stormwater drain is being planned along the railway line to prevent overflow during heavy downpours.

Officials also identified Kurla West’s Chandrodya Society as a recent victim of waterlogging exacerbated by infrastructure development. A metro pillar erected within an existing stormwater line caused backflow and water retention. In response, a new parallel drainage line has been constructed to restore capacity and prevent future disruptions—a classic case of adaptive urban planning balancing infrastructure expansion with environmental resilience. In the iconic Hindmata area, which once symbolised Mumbai’s monsoon woes, the situation has shown significant improvement following the installation of a large underground water-holding tank. The civic body now plans to install flow meters on all pumps linked to the tank to better track discharge rates and overall efficiency. Uniform pump capacity across all systems will ensure a more coordinated drainage response during peak rainfall.

A senior civic official involved in the project stated that while new waterlogging zones emerge every year due to changing land use and construction activity, legacy flood hotspots must be studied more thoroughly to develop robust engineering solutions. He added that integrating technology, urban design and hydrological expertise is key to enhancing the city’s climate resilience. Mumbai’s monsoon-related urban flooding is as much a product of geography as it is of governance and infrastructure design. Located just above sea level, the city is prone to tidal backflow, poor percolation, and rapid surface runoff during storms. Add to this the encroachment on natural water channels, inadequate maintenance of nullahs, and unregulated urban sprawl, and the challenges multiply.

However, the BMC’s latest efforts reflect an evolving approach—where smart city tools complement traditional civil engineering, and decentralised monitoring offers better decision-making during emergencies. If implemented efficiently, the new initiatives could set a precedent for how Indian metros can prepare for climate-induced weather extremes without compromising on urban equity or sustainability. The emphasis on real-time data, smart water management, and integrated flood prevention shows that Mumbai is no longer merely reacting to monsoon mayhem. It is, instead, attempting to redesign its systems for a wetter, more unpredictable future. With these developments, Mumbai takes a step closer to becoming a resilient, inclusive, and sustainably governed metropolis—one where civic infrastructure keeps pace with climate reality and urban growth.

Also read https://urbanacres.in/bmc-grants-approval-for-nesco-tower-2-project/ 

BMC installs smart pumps and upgrades drains to prevent flooding this monsoon