CM’s ultimatum to keep city flood-free

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan’s ultimatum to the BMC and the railways may ensure a smooth train ride during the rains this year. At a pre-monsoon preparedness meeting with various agencies on Wednesday, Chavan said the railways had to be up and functioning throughout the monsoon without any hitches.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan’s ultimatum to the BMC and the railways may ensure a smooth train ride during the rains this year. At a pre-monsoon preparedness meeting with various agencies on Wednesday, Chavan said the railways had to be up and functioning throughout the monsoon without any hitches.

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At the meeting — one for Mumbai and a separate one for the state government — Chavan along with chief secretary JK Banthia asked the BMC, MMRDA, railways, district collectors, the police and the armed forces to improve their coordination on monsoon work.

“One of the main concerns at the Mumbai meeting was the number of times trains stopped working during the monsoon last year. This year, both central and western railway officials have to ensure that water-logging is below the flooding levels of six feet,” Banthia said.

Banthia also pointed out the need for better coordination between the BMC and MMRDA on pothole filling. “Usually, BMC tends to take the flak for all roads as people do not know it is maintained by another agency,” he said.