July 31, 2025: In a bid to tackle persistent waterlogging issues in the eastern suburbs and ensure smooth traffic flow on the Eastern Express Highway, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced plans to build a mini-pumping station with an underground holding tank at Mankhurd.
Civic officials stated that the pumping station will be situated near the cross-subway at Mankhurd and will house three high-capacity pumps capable of draining 3,000 cubic metres of water per hour. Additionally, an underground tank measuring 25 by 15 feet will be constructed to hold between 1 to 2 lakh litres of rainwater.
“During intense rainfall, the pumps will divert stormwater either through the drainage system or into the holding tank. This will help prevent water accumulation in public areas and allow vehicles to move without disruption,” said a senior BMC official.
The initiative is expected to bring much-needed relief to flood-prone areas such as Maharashtra Nagar and the T Junction. These locations frequently turn into traffic bottlenecks during monsoons, particularly affecting the Sion-Panvel highway where Mankhurd often becomes a chokepoint.
The total cost of the project has been estimated at Rs 15 crore, and officials expect construction to be completed within six months, well before the onset of the next monsoon.
This marks the second such facility to be developed in the city. In 2021, the BMC installed a similar pumping station and underground tank at Hindmata, under the St Xavier’s College grounds. Since becoming operational, that system has significantly mitigated flooding in the low-lying areas around Gandhi Market and Hindmata junction. The new Mankhurd facility is anticipated to offer similar benefits, helping Mumbai build long-term resilience against seasonal flooding.
Source: The Indian Express
