BMC installing dewatering pumps once again?

Mumbai: At a time when BMC has spent crores of rupees on constructing pumping stations in Mumbai, the number of dewatering pumps at chronic water-logging spots across the city has actually increased. As part of monsoon preparations, the civic body has identified 66 spots prone to water-logging where it will install 313 dewatering pumps to ensure discharge of flooded water from city nullahs.

Interestingly, BMC installed 292 dewatering pumps in all wards just last monsoon, in addition to two pumps that were kept in each ward to deal with emergencies. The civic body spends over Rs 10 crore every year on hiring these dewatering pumps.

In a letter written to the civic chief, BJP leader Manoj Kotak questioned the need for these dewatering pumps when a pumping station was started just last year. “Despite a pumping station being in place, water logging took place in these areas last year on July 3, July 29, andAugust 5. This year too, the civic body has increased the number of dewatering pumps in the city, which, in fact, should have come down,” he said.

A senior civic official however said that these dewatering pumps would be installed as a precautionary measure. “We want to ensure that people do not face inconvenience due to water logging,” he said.