The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has floated a tender to appoint a consultant for preparing a Rs 13,000-crore integrated flood-mitigation master plan aimed at addressing Mumbai’s recurring monsoon waterlogging.
The selected consultant will have nine months to prepare the design and Detailed Project Report (DPR). The proposed programme will cover drainage improvements, pumping infrastructure, flood forecasting and warning systems, as well as other measures to strengthen the city’s ability to handle heavy rainfall.
Focus on Drainage and Pumping Capacity
The proposed plan will examine vulnerabilities across Mumbai’s storm-water network, including undersized drains, blockages and insufficient pumping capacity in flood-prone locations.
One of the key objectives is to strengthen drainage infrastructure so it can handle rainfall of more than 55 mm per hour. Additional pumping capacity is also proposed in areas such as Mahul and Mogra.
The next phase of the Mithi River improvement project is also included in the broader strategy. Specific locations, engineering solutions and the scale of individual interventions will be determined through the DPR.
Nature-Based Solutions Under Consideration
The proposed approach also moves beyond conventional drainage infrastructure. Officials said, “Nature-based measures are also being proposed, including permeable pavements that could absorb 12–15% of rainwater and underground, honeycomb-like detention tanks designed to temporarily store runoff and gradually recharge groundwater.”
The BMC also plans measures to prevent plastic and other floating waste from entering nullahs and culverts. Proposed solutions include interception systems and longitudinal nets designed to capture garbage before it blocks important storm-water channels.
The consultancy and DPR preparation are estimated to cost around Rs 110.17 crore.
Plan Developed With Central and State Agencies
The flood-mitigation programme has been under preparation for more than a year. The process began with a BMC meeting with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on March 12, 2025.
Subsequent site inspections were followed by a presentation of the proposal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in June, after which the project received in-principle clearance. The proposal was later submitted to the Centre and NDMA for consideration.
Three-Way Funding Structure Proposed
The proposed financial arrangement envisages 40% funding from the National Disaster Response Fund, 30% from the Maharashtra government and the remaining 30% from the BMC.
Once the consultant is appointed, the DPR will identify the specific drainage upgrades, pumping stations, flood-management systems and nature-based interventions required across Mumbai.
The master plan is intended to create a coordinated framework for tackling waterlogging rather than addressing individual flood-prone locations in isolation. Its implementation will depend on the recommendations emerging from the DPR, along with approvals and funding under the proposed structure.
Source: The Free Press Journal
