August 22, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced corrective measures to address waterlogging on the recently opened Vikhroli rail overbridge (ROB), after a ground inspection revealed that plastic waste blocking the water inlets was the primary cause of flooding earlier this week.
The inspection followed a report published on August 20, highlighting how heavy rainfall had left portions of the two-month-old structure submerged, sparking concerns about design flaws and inadequate planning.
Officials confirmed that rainwater had collected due to choked inlets, with the situation worsened by the height difference between LBS Marg and the railway station end of the flyover. “Since LBS Marg is at a higher elevation, water flows downhill and accumulates at the lower end near the station,” a civic engineer explained.
To prevent recurrence, BMC will carve out additional lateral inlets along the side walls leading up to the bridge. These will allow water to drain even if some openings are blocked. In the longer term, the civic body plans to construct a proper drainage network along the slip road of the bridge.
While acknowledging design-related challenges, BMC officials also pointed to indiscriminate littering as a major contributor to the problem. “We are clearing garbage regularly, but civic sense is equally important if such blockages are to be avoided,” an official remarked.
The 615-metre ROB, which connects LBS Marg in the west to the Eastern Express Highway in the east, was completed in June 2025 after nearly 15 years of delays. Built with three lanes but without a central divider or footpaths, the bridge opened with little fanfare.
Residents and commuters now hope that the corrective measures will ensure smooth travel and prevent the embarrassment of repeated waterlogging on a newly built structure.
Source: Times Of India
