In a new attempt to abate flooding woes in Mumbai’s Andheri area, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has chalked out a Rs 209 crore plan which will involve constructing a new storm water drain (SWD) network that will run parallel to the Andheri subway. Andheri subway is one of Mumbai's spots that floods frequently and is a primary east-west connector used by motorists. However, every year during monsoon, the subways stay shut on most days. Between June and October in 2023, the subway was shut 21 times by public authorities. Ahead of every monsoon, BMC sets up multiple dewatering pumps inside the subway. Civic officials said the proposed drain will be six metres wide and two metres deep. At present, there are three different SWD lines of one metre each. “Since there is no scope of widening the existing drainage networks, we have planned to lay a parallel drain. This project has been backed by IIT-Bombay and it will take four years to complete. As a result, relief to the citizens will not be very immediate,” said an official. Civic authorities also maintained that while the project's blueprint is ready, tenders for this project will be floated after the model code of conduct ceases. Civic officials said that civil works might start only after the monsoon season gets over this year. Andheri subway is located around 1 km away from the Andheri station and the location around the subway is saucer shaped, which means, the entry and exit point of the subway is slightly lower than the level of the main carriageway of the existing roads. The Mogra nullah also adjoins this subway. Since it flows downstream from here, every time it overflows, the rain-water goes into the subway, causing the area to flood.
