When Hindmata junction flooded two weeks ago, a group of civic officials inspected the site to find a solution, but returned with none.
The arterial road will continue to flood during heavy showers for the next two years at least, until the proposed pumping station in the area becomes reality.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had planned to construct the Britannia outfall pumping station at Reay Road, which will ease water-logging problems at Hindmata and other areas in south central Mumbai.
While the tendering process has not inched forward since May 2012, the BMC has decided to begin construction this October.
The pumping station, which is estimated to cost Rs116 crore, is part of the ambitious and much-delayed Brihanmumbai storm water drains (Brimstowad) project.
“I have told the concerned department to fast-track the tendering process and begin work as early as possible,” said Sitaram Kunte, municipal commissioner, who visited the waterlogged spot on June 10.
The BMC had also carried a hydrological study to understand the drainage system and flow of water in the area.
“The centuryold storm water drain at Hindmata has low capacity so we have to build a gate to prevent sea water from entering the drain during high tides,” Laxman Vhatkar, chief engineer, storm water drains, said.
{{/usCountry}}“The centuryold storm water drain at Hindmata has low capacity so we have to build a gate to prevent sea water from entering the drain during high tides,” Laxman Vhatkar, chief engineer, storm water drains, said.
{{/usCountry}}This will be part of the pumping station project. “We will first begin with the construction of gate, so that it is completed by next monsoon,” Vhatkar said.
Before beginning construction, all sewage lines connected to the storm water drain will however have to be diverted, which will take more than a year to complete.