Coastal Road: BMC faces flak as seawater floods pedestrian underpass

On Wednesday morning, the causeway was submerged after water levels rose up to 4.9 metres post 11.45 am. As a result, seawater also entered the reclaimed portion of the land and the entire PUP got submerged by seawater prompting the civic authorities to shut down the gates of the PUPs. Also, owing to the hightide warnings, the shrine was also shut on Wednesday from 11.45 am till 2.30 pm. After 3 pm, the water levels receded gradually.

Civic officials said this is a temporary phenomenon and water will not enter once the drain is ready. “The construction of the main stormwater drains planned just adjoining the PUP is still underway and once they are ready there will be catchment tanks which will collect the overflowing seawater and channel it out through outlets,” said an official.

“On Wednesday, there was a high tide as a result the entire causeway went under water and seawater also entered the coastal road portion since the subway is at the brink of the high-tide level. Once the road is ready, we will have drains and retaining walls that will separate the causeway from the mainland,” the official added.

Meanwhile, residents criticised the BMC authorities after pictures of the water-filled PUP became viral on social media. City-based activist Zoru Bhathena told The Indian Express, “If during a non-monsoon day water enters the underpass what will happen during the rainy season when high-tide becomes a daily occurrence.”

The Rs 13,893 crore MCRP project was opened for traffic on March 11. At present, the high-speed corridor is catering to south-bound traffic between Worli and Marine Drive only on weekdays between 8 am and 8 pm.