Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 12: With monsoon around the corner and the memories of flooded railway tracks still fresh in the minds of Mumbaikars, the Indian Railways is stepping up efforts to bring a permanent solution to the city’s recurring problem of waterlogging. The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has launched a city-wide master plan to tackle monsoon-induced disruptions, drawing inspiration from global models such as Japan’s revolutionary underground floodwater reservoirs.
The study, currently underway, is assessing flood-prone zones across the suburban railway network, which spans both western and eastern corridors of the city. Positioned between the Arabian Sea and Thane Creek, Mumbai’s unique topography makes it vulnerable to water accumulation, especially when intense rainfall coincides with high tides. Rainwater naturally flows towards the sea or creek, but clogged culverts, bridges and drains — often choked by plastic and debris — block the system, leading to extensive flooding.
Despite annual pre-monsoon cleaning, the drainage network—now over a century old—is simply not equipped to manage today's extreme rainfall events. Designed for a maximum flow of 25 mm per hour at low tide, the system is overwhelmed during peak monsoon, particularly in June and July, which together witness over half of Mumbai’s average 2,400 mm monsoon rainfall. Downpours exceeding 300 mm in a day are now a regular phenomenon, often bringing the lifeline of the city—its suburban railways—to a halt.
In light of this, MRVC’s ambitious project includes detailed topographic and drone surveys, flood simulations, and a review of existing stormwater drains, pumping systems, and sewerage networks. The aim is to propose actionable, long-term flood mitigation strategies, including the expansion of cross drains, installation of new culverts, enhancement of pumping infrastructure, and even raising the levels of tracks in low-lying areas.
Interestingly, a pilot study by IIT Bombay has proposed the construction of underground regulating reservoirs, modeled on Tokyo’s massive Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel. These underground cathedrals can store stormwater during high tide and release it during low tide, effectively preventing track submersion. The MRVC is exploring suitable land parcels owned by Indian Railways, BMC, and the state government for such infrastructure in flood-prone zones.
Officials emphasize the importance of evaluating global best practices while customizing them for Mumbai’s unique environment. The study will also chart out an emergency response and risk management plan, offering interim solutions until the full-scale flood mitigation infrastructure is operational.
If implemented as planned, this initiative could mark a turning point in Mumbai’s battle against monsoon mayhem—ensuring smoother train operations, reduced commuter distress, and a city better prepared for the wrath of the rains.