Mumbai is set to strengthen its infrastructure to manage monsoon-related flooding, with an allocation of Rs 707.71 crore approved under the Urban Flood Risk Management Programme (UFRMP). The funding has been cleared by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as part of Phase 1 of the initiative. The proposal had earlier received in-principle approval during the 2025 monsoon season.
Earlier, on March 21, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had submitted a larger flood mitigation proposal worth Rs 10,000 crore to the NDMA. Mumbai is one of three major cities—alongside New Delhi and Ahmedabad—identified for comprehensive flood preparedness and capacity-building efforts under the programme.
As part of pre-monsoon preparations, newly appointed Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide conducted a review of desilting operations across the city on April 8. During the inspection, she instructed officials to focus on areas prone to waterlogging and ensure that desilting work is completed by May 31 within a defined timeline.
The approved funding will support several key projects aimed at improving flood management. These include the construction of an underground tunnel along the Mithi river stretch between Safed Pul and the Dharavi Wastewater Treatment Facility. Plans also involve enhancing flood mitigation infrastructure at Hindamata junction in Dadar East, a location historically vulnerable to flooding, where an underground water storage tank was built in 2020-21. Additionally, authorities aim to strengthen IT-enabled early warning systems to better respond to extreme rainfall events.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar said, “BMC had received in-principle approval for this phase in 2025. Funds are now being disbursed. This is part of Phase 1, and work has started. The Rs 10,000 crore proposal awaits approval.”
Source: Mid-day
