The recurring waterlogging at Mumbai’s Andheri subway is expected to persist this monsoon, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) yet to implement a permanent solution. Civic officials have indicated that while a plan is being worked out, any meaningful intervention is unlikely before next year.
Situated about a kilometre from Andheri railway station, the subway serves as a crucial east–west connector in the western suburbs. However, it routinely becomes unusable during heavy rains. Data highlights the scale of the issue: the subway was shut 33 times between June and October in 2025, 35 times in 2024, and 21 times in 2023 due to flooding.
Officials are currently evaluating two possible solutions—diverting the existing drainage network or constructing a holding tank. “The process of diverting the drains is going to be challenging since the drains have sharp turns, which cause disruption to the flow and lead to clogs and reduced lifespan of pipelines,” said Abhijit Bangar, additional municipal commissioner (Projects).
Given these challenges, a holding tank system is emerging as the more viable option. Such systems temporarily store excess rainwater during heavy downpours and release it later, helping reduce flooding. A similar approach implemented at Hindmata Junction has significantly improved conditions there.
The BMC has also engaged IIT Bombay to develop a technical plan, with a June 15 deadline set for finalising the approach. Tendering is expected to follow, with construction likely to begin by October.
An earlier Rs 200-crore drainage upgrade proposal was shelved after feasibility studies showed limited benefits. “During a feasibility study, we found that the carrying capacity of the drains could be increased to tackle an average rainfall of 55 mm. At present, the carrying capacity is just 20 mm, and after the implementation of the proposed works, we would get only an additional cover of 35 mm of rainfall, which is not a wide range. Therefore, spending Rs 200 crore just to tackle 35 mm of rainfall will not be worth it, and we had to cancel this project to chalk out a more feasible project with a good cost-benefit ratio,” an official said.
The subway’s saucer-shaped topography and proximity to the Mogra nullah worsen the situation, as water rapidly accumulates during heavy rains. “One of the major challenges that we (BMC) are facing in keeping this particular point flood-free is the topography of this subway. This is a watershed area, where the gradient is very steep. During the rains, water gushes inside the subway at a very high speed. Unless any large-scale structural intervention is carried out, it will continue to be a challenge to keep the subway entirely flood-free,” an official said.
Authorities have also flagged improper waste disposal as a key contributor to clogged drains. “Often we see materials like suitcases, furniture, plastic items, bicycles, being disposed of in the drain. These items obstruct the water flow, which, in turn, leads to overflow of the drains, causing flooding in the subway. We have been holding talks with local residents as well, however, no concrete result has emerged yet,” the official added.
Source: The Indian Express
