Set up state water grid to address flooding problem in Mumbai, says Gadkari

Mumbai, October 15, 2020

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari has called for the formation of a State Water Grid in Maharashtra to overcome the recurring crisis of floods being faced by Mumbai.

In a letter written to the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackerey on Wednesday, the Minister reiterated that formation of such a grid would also help the government ensure availability of water in drought-prone areas.

“We have experienced that every year Mumbai suffers huge losses due to the floods. Hence, there is an urgent need to prepare an integrated plan to handle flood situation effectively to avoid losses,” he said.

If systematically planned, floodwater, drainage and sewerage can be diverted towards Thane and the entire diverted influx can be stored in a dam, after treating this water midway.

This water can be used for irrigation, industries around the city and for supplying water to nearby horticulture belts. Through pipelines, excess water can be carried to other drought-prone areas of the state as well. Gadkari also called for setting up of water recycling plants in large residential colonies of Mumbai and its satellite cities as part of a sustainable initiative.

The Minister said that the problems of floods, drainage management, sewerage, potable water in Mumbai should be given an integral thought as the issues are interlinked. He asked the State Government to get a Detailed Project Report prepared by an international consultant under the work coordinated by MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Development Authority) since the problems are not limited to city limits of Mumbai.

Gadkari also asked the State Government to take up the project to convert all city roads in Mumbai into cement concrete roads.

Stating that the tar roads do not sustain the heavy rains that Mumbai witnesses, the Minister gave the example of Mumbai-Pune Express Highway, built nearly two decades ago, that has stood the test of time.

“On the same lines, concrete roads can be constructed in Mumbai along with advanced drainage system to carry sewerage and floodwater,” he added.

The Minister asked the Maharashtra Chief Minister to support the water transport initiative. “The MbPT (Mumbai Port Trust) has already planned for water transport services and sea tourism that will make Mumbai, along with being the financial capital, the country’s hub for Sea Transport & Tourism,” he added.

Gadkari also sought the support of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, State PWD Minister Ashok Chavan, Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil and other senior leaders for his proposals.

NNN