Mumbai’s suburban trains were severely disrupted during last year’s monsoon due to waterlogging on tracks, prompting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Railway authorities to implement stringent measures this year. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagarani held a review meeting with officials from both Central and Western Railways to ensure that pre-monsoon preparations are effectively implemented, focusing on preventing water accumulation on railway tracks.
The review meeting, attended by key officials including Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar and Chief Engineer (Storm Water Drains) Shridhar Chaudhari, aimed at assessing current preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season. The BMC has taken proactive steps to clean and de-silt drains and culverts near railway lines to prevent future disruptions.
Gagarani stressed the importance of joint site inspections between the BMC and Railway officials at key stations like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Matunga Workshop, Wadala, and Borivali to ensure thorough preparations. These inspections are crucial to identify vulnerable areas and ensure all preventive measures are in place.
In addition to cleaning culverts such as those at Mithi River and Tilak Nagar, the BMC will deploy additional manpower and equipment to handle the workload. Gagarani also stressed the importance of coordination between BMC and Railway authorities in low-lying areas, where water accumulation is most likely. “When suburban trains halt, it brings Mumbai to a standstill. Therefore, seamless coordination is essential to ensure smooth rail services,” Gagrani said.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Bangar confirmed that the cleaning of drains and installation of pumping stations will proceed as planned, with operational readiness ensured at all waterlogging hotspots. With coordinated efforts and thorough planning, Mumbai aims to keep suburban rail services uninterrupted throughout the monsoon season.