After nearly two decades of setbacks, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is finally advancing its much-anticipated stormwater pumping stations at Mogra Nullah in Andheri and Mahul in Chembur. These projects, which were initially recommended by the Chitale Committee post the devastating 2005 Mumbai floods, are now seen as crucial interventions to address the city’s perennial flooding woes.
The BMC has made a significant financial commitment towards these projects. Recently, the civic body deposited Rs. 33 crore in the Bombay High Court (HC) to resolve a land dispute related to the Mogra pumping station. This payment has cleared the way for the commencement of construction work. The land for the Mahul pumping station, currently salt pan land, is also set to be acquired, with the process confirmed by BMC officials. These two stations are part of eight such projects designed to alleviate flooding across Mumbai. However, securing land for these crucial infrastructural developments has been a persistent challenge. For Mogra, legal disputes over ownership between two private parties had stalled progress, even though the tender for the project was finalised as early as 2021. The Mahul station faced similar delays, as the Salt Commissionerate—the government body responsible for the land in the area—has had its own bureaucratic hurdles in facilitating land acquisition.
The Mogra pumping station is essential for alleviating frequent flooding in Andheri, an area that sees severe waterlogging every monsoon season. Once the land acquisition hurdles were cleared, the BMC was able to deposit the required funds, allowing the work to begin. The project, which is expected to take 24 months to complete, has a target completion date of December 2026. Similarly, the Mahul pumping station will help resolve waterlogging issues in Kurla, Sion, Matunga, and Chembur. The station will work by pumping out stormwater during high tides, thus preventing seawater from flooding the city. The land acquisition for Mahul will cost the BMC around Rs. 5.8 crore.
Both stations are part of a broader strategy to tackle Mumbai’s chronic flooding problems, with other pumping stations, such as Irla, Haji Ali, and Cleveland, already operational since 2010. However, the new additions are expected to significantly enhance Mumbai’s resilience to flooding. With Mogra projected at a cost of Rs. 393 crore and Mahul at Rs. 350 crore, these projects reflect the BMC’s commitment to improving flood management infrastructure. As Mumbai grapples with extreme weather patterns, the completion of these pumping stations is critical for mitigating the effects of future floods, ensuring a more resilient urban landscape.
