flood - KiritSomaiya.com

Flood Free Mumbai 

Concept to Reality 

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ROADMAP – mik; ; ;kstuk; 

Dr. KIRIT SOMAIYA 

Ex-Member of Parliament, Vice President BJP Maharashtra

DREAM – REALITY – ACTION PLAN FOR FLOOD FREE MUMBAI 

Yes! Really Mithi Nala is becoming once again Mithi River. “LoIu lkdkj gks jgk gS”. 

We Mumbaikars can make Mumbai free from flooding and water logging. We are presenting a concept, a blueprint 

how we can make our Mumbai “ck< eqDr eqacbZ”. 

Request to give your suggestions to correct, improve the Action Plan. We are going to submit Action Plan to all the 

authorities – Government of India, Government of Maharashtra, BMC, MMRDA, Corporates, NGOs, Professionals, 

Activists, Political leaders, Executives to think at macro level and execute at micro level. 

In 2005, it was difficult to dream that we can rejuvenate Mithi River. Court support and monitoring has strengthened 

the hands of hard working, efficient engineers and officials. 4000 structures shifted, more than 10,00,000 cubic 

meters silt/ mud/ debr removed in the first Phase. 19-km long River is converted from 20-50 ft. to 100 ft. Second 

phase planning has started. Work to be started from November. In 3 years, we will have “Dream River – Mithi 

River”. 

Major problem of monsoon water logging along with flooding. We have played with the waterways. The Financial 

Capital of India, has grown from 10 lakh people to 128 lakh population today. But the system, waterways, drains, 

rivers have not been updated/upgraded accordingly. 

Mumbai is witnessing water logging problem for decades. We have got accustomed to that. In 1980s, 3 days were 

lost in a year due to heavy rains and flooding, that too only in the Island City. In 21 st century Mumbai is wasting on 

an average 6 days every year during monsoon. Today, just 160 mm rain results in water logging/flooding at more 

than 100 places. We have tried to summaries the cause and also suggested solution. 

Contd…2.

-- 2 -- 

Action Plan is for 5 years and cost Rs.3,000 crores. Suggestions for mobilization of resources, corrections in the 

policies, immediate measures to stop further deterioration. 

The talk of handling the water logging problem of Mumbai is going on since 1991. But till now, Government of India, 

Govt. of Maharashtra, have not allotted single paise even after the shocking experience of 26 th July 2005. 

Disruption, distress and economic losses have to be considered. During water logging and flooding, the damage 

caused is substantial. Disruption of transportation results into disruption of economic activity. This is hurting the 

industry and service sector development also. GDP growth of the country reaches 8.5% while that of Mumbai goes 

down to 2.1%. People, experts, corporates, professionals, media have started asking question – “Is Mumbai a dying 

city?” 

The leadership of the Society has to commit itself. Mumbai is losing more than Rs.800 crores per annum due to this 

problem. Rs.3,000 crores may be treated as capital investment. Mumbai has given Rs.80,000 crores revenue to 

Government of India during 2005-06. Simultaneously, Rs.22,000 crores taxes, dueties, cess has been earned by 

Maharashtra Government for the same year. They have to commit and contribute. 

The coinciding of heavy rains with high tide is pointed out as the reason of flooding. However, it is not correct to 

blame the natural cycle for the flooding. We have to admit that flooding is caused due to human error and 

erroneous planning of land use as well as mistakes committed in terrain management. 

The population of Mumbai has grown by 60% , i.e. by 47 lacs in the last 25 years – from 81 lacs in 1981 to 128 lacs in 

2006. Of this growth of 47 lacs, 35 lacs is increase in slum population. 

Contd…3.

The consequences of flooding are – 

-- Misery 

-- 3 -- 

-- Loss of life and property 

-- Economic loss to the State and the people 

-- Projection of poor image of a global metropolis 

To reverse this situation and to establish a flood free Mumbai is not a dream. It is practically possible through proper 

study, planning and effective implementation. 

What we really need is a strong will to achieve this goal. This has to be followed by – 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Systematic compilation of dasta 

Review of the work done so far on this issue 

Collect suggestions and views of concerned persons regarding the flooding 

Prepare action plan 

Apply the action plan to select areas to test effectiveness 

Apply the successful action plan to other areas in phased manner. 

With appropriate methodology, it will be possible to solve this problem permanently. 

The following pages of this document will present the case of flood free Mumbai. It is hoped that the efforts will be 

appreciated by all concerned citizens and we will join hads to solve this Herculean task. 

Let us interact, introspect, commit to save our Mumbai – FLOOD FREE MUMBAI. 

11 th July 2006 DR. KIRIT SOMAIYA 

PS : Request to send suggestions: E-mail : kirit@vsnl.in; kiritsomaiya@gmail.com, SMS Mob. No.: 09869220028 

BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY

Flooding- Mumbai Perspective 

• Flood in Mumbai need not necessarily imply flash 

flow of surface runoff washing away everything in 

its path. 

• In Mumbai flood can mean runoff water unable to 

be disposed off in reasonable time causing water 

logging

Mumbai Island City Born from 7 Original Islands in 16 th Century

Flooding in Mumbai in Nut Shell 

• Its water logging & flooding 

• Impact of Urban Devt on water-ways 

• Mass influx affected plan Devt 

• Heavy influx of down trodden in Mumbai 

• 1981-2006 population increase 48 lacs i.e. by 60%

Flooding in Mumbai – DNA – 6 July 2006


(Basic Issues) 

• Committees & Consultants appointed but Reports 

never implimented 

• Piecemeal efforts made but no macro level plan & 

efforts to solve the problem in totality 

• 12 authorities no co-ordination 

• No hydrological policy,regulatory or monitoring 

system 

• Disappearance of open spaces acting as shock 

absorber during heavy rain


(Basic Issues continued) 

• Inspite of 26 july no action till now 

• Govt of India, Planning Commission, Govt of 

Maha not given Single Paisa 

• Mithi action only due to PIL & Court 

• 160mm rain cause water logging at 100 places 

• Govt apointed 5 committees - reports dumped in 

cup-boards

HISTORY OF MUMBAI 

• Original city of Mumbai consisted of 7 islands – Apollo 

Bunder, Malabar, Cumbala, Mazgaon, Worli, Mahim and 

Parel-Dharavi-Sion. 

• Reclamation interconnection of islands started in 16th 

Century. 

• Construction of Vellard between Worli and Mahalaxmi 

done in 1772. 

• Major areas developed in 1850s – Wadi Bunder, Chinch 

Bunder, Carnac Bunder, Mint Road, Elphinstone Road, 

Tank Bunder, Clerk Road Mahalaxmi, Sewree and Frere 

Estate. 

• Mahim Causeway developed in the 19th Century. 

• Reclamations – Nariman Point (1970s), Bandra 

Reclamation (1970s), Bandra Kurla Complex (1980s)

150 yrs. Old Drainage System of Island City


(Island City) 

• Loging in island city decades old problem 

• Basic capacity of waterways to handle 15mm rain 

per hour 

• 150 year old planing & system 

• Low line areas no major action- till now


(Subarbs) 

• Population grown by 67 lacs in 25years 

• Subarban population to cross 1 cr in 2008 

• Massive encroachments on mouth of major nalas 

• Heavy diversions & encroachments of Rivers 

• Devt by MMRDA without considering 

hydrological impact


(Buildings) 

• Population in Building up by 12 lac in 25 yr 

• Scarcity of land in Mumbai 

• Use of NDZ & Open Spaces 

• Massive construction without increasing capacity 

of waterways 

• Diversons & encroachments of major nalas & 

rivers by Private Developers 

• Reduction in width &training of nullahs 

• Result- disappearance of Holding Ponds


(Slums) 

• Massive growth of Slums 

• Of 128 lacs 65 lacs stays in slums 

• Mumbai population grown 47 lac in 25 yr 

• Slum Population grown by 35 lacs in 25 yr 

• Encroachments on Water ways 

• Slum waste comes directly into water ways 

• Of 450 lacs slum population of India 65 lacs in 

Mumbai

Observations on flooding pattern 

• Chronic flooding spots- mostly on the interface 

between erstwhile islands??? 

• Inherently low lying spots 

• Largely dependent on tidal variations 

• Apart from chronic spots, new areas becoming flood 

prone

Observations on flooding pattern 

• Physical obstructions to flow of runoff water on 

account of 

– Constricted widths of nallas 

– Diversion of natural water courses on account 

of new developments 

• Lack of integrated approach while development of 

other infrastructure like new roads- EEH, WEH, 

SV Road, LBS Marg etc. are prominent examples

Introspection about the present 

drainage system 

• City 

– Islands converted in 

to a single land mass 

– Underground SWDs 

– Discharging in to sea 

through short outfalls 

• Suburbs 

– Muflats, Mangroves, 

Creeks 

– Rainwater runoff mostly 

in to creeks 

– System of open surface 

drains

Introspection about the present 

drainage system 

• Changes in the time taken for runoff/ floodwater 

to recede over a period of time 

• Changes in land use pattern 

• New development in the catchments 

• Changes in Raifall intensity and total rainfall 

• Changes in coefficient of runoff 

• Changes in the distances or ultimate discharges 

• Destruction of mangroves

Limitations of gravity system of drains 

• Adversely affected by tidal fluctuations 

• Needs proper gradient- resulting in to driving head 

for flow 

• Affected by acute changes in direction 

• Considered to be non-priority over other services

Paradigm shift in system design 

• Integrated approach to design of infrastructure like roads 

with due consideration for SWD and sanitary drainage 

system 

• Complete systems approach rather than piecemeal 

approach 

• Whole to part approach with identification of cause of 

problem 

• Review of design basis 

• Operation and maintenance aspects 

• Regional overview along with locally implementable 

measures

Identification of cause at every level 

• Starting from the local level, tracing the cause till 

the regional level 

• Identification such local spots with people’s active 

participation 

• Identification of reasons from people’s perspective 

• Application of the information and data collection 

for system design

Impact of Development 

• Cement Concretization of Roads 

• Increase in height of Roads, Asphalting 

• Widening of major Roads and Construction of 

Service Road 

• Its impact on Roadside Waterways, Drains etc. 

• Effect on water absorbing capacity & system 

• Flow of storm water be considered at the time of 

Road Development

Need to Study - Impact of 

redevelopment on Waterways 

• Mill lands 

• Dharavi Redevelopment 

• SRA/ PAP at Anik 

• Mankhurd 

• Salt Pan 

• BPT Land 

• Metro Railway

Slum Population and facilities in slums 

• More than half of city’s Population live in SLUMS 

• 65 lacs Slum Dwellers in Mumbai. 

• SLUMS are un-planned under served 

• Located in HIGH RISK and BARELY 

HABITABLE areas of city. 

• Poorly equipped with Sanitation and Solid Waste 

collection facilities.

History Of Sewerage & Drains System 

• Old main drain constructed by end of 18th century. 

• In 1860, Vihar Lake commissioned. 

• By end 1867, main sewer outlets were laid. 

• From 1882 onwards, sewerage work in Queen’s 

Road, Fort area and Girgaum undertaken.;

Statistical Data Of Mumbai’s s Drainage 

System Network 

Length of Nallas and Drains

System of SWD Outfalls for Disposal of 

Rainwater in Mumbai

Outfall levels vis-à-vis Mean Sea Level - 

High Flood Level 

(A) Outfalls below Mean Sea Level = 45 

(B) Outfalls above MSL but below High tide level = 135 

(C) Outfalls above High tide level = 6

Major outfalls 

• Outfall Invert Level below Mean Sea Level = 45 Nos 

• Outfall Invert Level above Mean Sea Level = 135 Nos 

• Outfall Invert Level above High Tide Level = 6 Nos

Major water-logging CR 

• Masjid Bunder 

• Byculla 

• Sion 

• Chunabhatti 

• Kurla Stn. 

• Vidya Vihar, near Fatima School 

• Bhandup Station

Major water-logging WR 

• Grant Road 

• Mumbai Central 

• Lower Parel

Railway Culverts (Nos( 

Nos)

Lakes of Mumbai 

• Tulsi Lake: 114.74 m GTS. Dam has two ungated 

spillways. One spillway at crest level is situated at 115.42 m 

GTS. This spillway discharges into Dahisar River. The other 

spillway at 114.74 m GTS discharges into Vihar Lake. 

• Vihar Lake: The FSL of the lake is 56.21 m GTS and foot 

of the dam is 27.36m GTS. This dam is also having ungated 

(i.e., unregulated) spillway. The Vihar Lake spillway 

discharges into Mithi River. 

• Powai Lake: The FSL of the lake is 94.97 m GTS. This 

spillway discharge also meets Mithi River.

• Mumbai have 7 Rivers – 

Mithi, Mahul, Vakola, 

Oshiwara, Poisar, Walbhat, 

Dahisar & 3 Lakes - Tulsi, 

Vihar & Powai 

• Development at the cost of 

Rivers – Slowly, steadily 

one by one River getting 

disappeared. 

• Mahul River and Vakola 

River (2 branches of Mithi) 

existed till 1976 on Map. 

• D.P. City Map doesn’t 

exist now.

Mithi River - Facts 

• Origin - Sanjay Gandhi National Park - overflow of Vihar 

and Powai dams. 

• Length - 17.9 km 

• Flow of River - Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Aarey 

colony, Filter Pada, L & T Jn., JVLR, Saki Naka, Kranti 

Nagar, Bail Bazar, Air Port, BKC 

• Meeting point - Mahim Creek 

• Total Catchment area - 7,295 ha comprising of 21 

catchments based on the BRIMSTOWAD report

Mithi River – Facts (Contd( 

Contd…) 

• Reasons for degradation – 

– Narrowing of the bank 

– Runway Extension of the Santacruz Airport 

– Reclamation of River bed for industrial units 

– Diversion of River flow due to dumping of construction 

debris/ solid waste/ industrial waste 

– Industrial Waste

Unnatural 90 0 diversion of Mithi for development of Airport. 

One of the major problem un-natural natural diversions of Water ways

Development of last 20 yrs have converted Mithi River into Mithi Nalla. 

In 1976 Mithi was more than 200 ft. wide as shown in black boundary. 

By 2005 – 19 kms. . Long river was converted into a nalla of 22 to 62 ft.

Cwprs Major Recommendations (1978) 

Not Implemented 

• Increase the width to 200 meters from BKC to Mahim 

creek. 

• It has remained 85 to 115 meters only 

• Mithi-Vakola Nala width to be increased to 60 meters. 

• It has remained 20 to 40 meters. 

• Provision of sluice gates at Mahim Causeway. 

• Had all these recommended works been completed, 

impact of 26 th July would have been much less.

Mithi – Mahul / Thane Creek Connection 

• Water courses to be planned- connected by 

water-shed approach 

• Development in Mumbai have detached/ 

separated natural water courses 

• Major Rivers & Water flows isolated by 

development 

• E.g.- Britannia, Senapati Bapat Marg, in City 

and Thane, Mahul & Mahim Creek in suburb

Suggested Zoning & Channelization widths of River in Mumbai 

NOTE: CWPRS Reports of 1978 & 2006 suggested width of Mithi to be increased to 60mtr to 200 mtr

Dahisar River - Facts 

• Length - 12 km 

• Flow of River - National Park, Sri Krishna Nagar, 

Daulatnagar, Leprosy Colony, Kandar Pada, Sanjay 

Nagar, Dahisar Gaonthan 

• Meeting point - Bhayander Creek (i.e. Manori 

Creek)

Poisar River 

• Point of origin - Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Kranti 

Nagar, Kandivli (East) 

• Length –7 Km 

• Areas – Appa Pada, Kurar Village, Hanuman Nagar, 

Thakur Complex, Mahindra & Mahindra, Poisar 

• Major Nallas associated – Samta Nagar, Thakur 

Complex, Asha Nagar, Joglekar, Magitia, Kamla Nehru 

road, vickers Spery 

• Meetign Point – Malad Creek. 

• Total Catchment – 2,095 ha

Oshiwara River 

• Point of Origin – Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon (E) 

• Length –7 km 

• Areas – Aarey Colony, Pahadi Area, walbhat Road, 

Jawahar Nagar, Oshiwara, Motilal Nagar, Link Road, 

Malad Creek. 

• Major Nallas associated – Majas, Oshiwara River, 

Gogatewadi, Shastri Nagar, Bimbisar Nagar. 

• Meeting point – Malad Creek. 

• Total area – 2,938 ha

Holding Ponds – Shock Absorbers during Heavy Rain 

• Holding Ponds – Open Spaces getting disappeared 

• Holding Ponds help to absorb and act as Buffer Zone during heavy 

rain 

• Being filled by land for development activities 

• Release for development for SRA, PAP etc. 

• Policy for Development of Open Places, NDZ, CRZ needs serious 

thinking 

• Holding Basins 

• Eastern – Vikhroli, Kanjur, Bhandup, Mulund, Ghatkopar, 

Mankhurd 

• Western – Mahim Nature Park, Bandra (E), Oshiwara, Anik

Dahisar –Oshiwara 

& Other Rivers - 

Rejuvenation 

• Study on Flood Mitigation Measures for Dahisar, Poisar & 

Oshiwara in North Mumbai – Interim Report – Dec 2005 by 

Water & Power Consultancy Services (India) Ltd. Gurgaon

BRIMSTOWAD Report 

To Suggest Solutions 

• Submitted in November 1990. 

• To be implemented in 12 years from 1994 to 2005. 

• Not implemented till now. 

• Study of problem of water logging and flooding. 

• Action plan suggested to protect Mumbai against 

monsoon flooding. 

• Action plan for revival, reconstruction, maintenance 

of major nadi, nalas.

Engineering Actions- 

BRIMSTOWAD Report 

• Increasing capacity of Drains 

• Storing flows to reduce peak discharges 

• Installation of Pumping system 

• Installation of Sluice gates 

• Special action for Mithi River 

• To keep drains mud free

Major catchments - BRIMSTOWAD 

• Catchments more than 1000 Ha = 6 Nos. 

• Catchments between 100 Ha and 1000 Ha = 30 Nos. 

• Catchments less than 100 Ha = 41 Nos. 

• Catchments having outfall below Mean Sea Level are 45 

Nos

Total Investment – Island City 

1992) 

(BRIMSTOWAD 

1992)

Total Investment – Island City 

(BRIMSTOWAD 1992)

Total Investment – Suburb (BRIMSTOWAD 1992)

Total Investment – Suburb (BRIMSTOWAD 1992)

OBSTRUCTIONS DUE TO PUBLIC 

UTILITY SERVICES 

• Water pipes, electricity cables, TV internet cables, 

telephone cables affect flow of water. 

• Identification of such lines in nallas required. 

• Action plan for shifting required.

Encroachments in the riverbeds 

• Open, dangling cable and pipe crossings on the sides 

of the bridges and culverts, 

• Debris dumping (from construction activities as well 

as industrial wastes) on banks and into rivers, 

• Sedimentation in river beds and dumping of urban 

solid wastes into rivers coupled with inadequate 

annual desilting efforts, 

• Ingress encroachments from the banks ( building, 

industries, and slums) 

• Modification of river – courses and local diversion of 

streams.

Coastal Zones and Mangrove-Ecosystem 

• Length – 52 kms 

• Names of Bays – Mahim Bay, Haji Ali, Worli (bay like) 

• Names of Major Creeks – Thane, Mahim Versova, Manori, Gorai 

• Names Of Rivers – MIthi, Dahisar, Poisar, and Oshiwara 

• Major Nallas – several nallas in suburbs joining above rivers and 

creeks 

• Salt pan – Along the estern express highway, anik – Wadala road 

• Total Cathment Area – 12,986 ha 

• Names of Beaches – Girgaon, Dadar, Mahim, Juhu, Versova, 

malad, Gorai, Mudh lsland, etc. 

• Rock-outcrops and Mudflats – Colaba, Worli, Bandra, Khar, and 

mudflats (i.e.wetland)

Framework for Addressing Environmental 

Challenges in Mumbai’s s Urban Management 

• Sustainable development should be our ultimate 

objective 

• Adoption of ‘polluter pays principle’ 

• Adoption of ‘precautionary principle’ 

• Ecosystem services are not adequately quantified in 

commercial markets and are often given too little 

weight in policy decisions objective 

• The ‘system’s approach’ and ‘watershed’ based 

development planning

Observations of Chitale Committee 

• Guidelines for other improvements 

• -- Hydrological monitoring 

• -- Sensing by radars 

• -- Topographical contours 

• -- Upgraded Railway culverts 

• -- Resettlement 

• -- Restructuring of MMRDA 

• -- Financial support

Plethora of Committees – Reports but no 

Implementation 

• Natu Committee – 1975 

• CWPRS - 1978 on Development of Bandra-Kurla Complex. 

• Dharavi storm Water Drainage System – Shah Technical 

Consultants – (STC)1988 

• BRIMSTOWAD report – 1993 

• Mirani Committee – 1997 & 2005 

• Flooding at Milan Subway & Grant road / Nana Chowk – 2005 

by I.I.T. Powai. 

• CWPRS & IIT – 2005-06 on Mithi River 

• Chitale Committee – 2005-06

FINANCIAL – ECONMIC LOSSES 

• Water logging/flooding problem for a minimum of 6 

days in a year. 

• Half of the city is not able to function for 6 days. 

• Losses due to impact on production, services, export, 

etc. 

• Losses for deterioration of roads due to flooding. 

• Water logging in residential, commercial, industrial 

areas affect life of structures. 

• Recurring expenditure for repairing and maintenance. 

• Loss of human life, human health.

Eastern Express Highway – Photo DNA 6 th July 2006

FINANCIAL – ECONMIC LOSSES 

(Contd.) 

• Losses of goods and materials in shops and godowns. 

• Loss of household goods in buildings and slums. 

• Losses due to impact of life of buildings/structures. 

• Losses of trade, export, production & service. 

• Losses due to water-borne disease – its impact on 

health. 

• Impact on the life of roads. 

• Effect and impact on life of vehicles, repairs and 

insurance

FINANCIAL – ECONMIC LOSSES – 

FUTURE & GROWTH 

• Long term impact on growth and future of Mumbai. 

• Direct impact on the growing financial services. 

• Direct impact on BPO, Call Centre, etc. 

• Additional expenditure for maintenance, repair by 

various authorities including Railways, Airports, 

BEST, etc.

FINANCE & ECONOMIC LOSSES - 

PROJECTION 

• Country’s GDP growth at 8.5% and Mumbai down to 2.1%. 

• Losses to Property, Productions, Services, Health, Transport, 

Travelling & Human Life 

• Per day Finance & Economic losses - Rs.150 Cr. to 200 

Crores 

• Average 6 days heavy water logging and flooding problem. 

• Total losses per year – Rs.800 Cr. To Rs.1,000 Cr.

FINANCE - RESOURCES REQUIRED 

• Mithi River revival 

• Dahisar, Poisar, Oshiwara, Mahul River Projects 

• Major nalas/SVD development – restructuring 

• Work of natural flow, desilting, deepening, widening 

of major nallas

FINANCE - RESOURCES REQUIRED 

(contd.) 

• Removal/shifting of unauthorized structures on the nallas 

• Rehabilitation of affected people 

• Development of holding ponds 

• Development/upgradation of Central water monitoring 

agency/system 

• Inter-connection of rivers and nalas 

• Total cost Rs.3,000 Cr.+Rs.1,000 Crores

Way to mobilize Finance - Resources 

• Rs.4,000 crores mobilization in next 5 years. 

• Additional provision by BMC of Rs.1,000 crores @ 

Rs.333 crores for the next 3 years. 

• Rs.1,000 crores contribution by MMRDA. 

• Rs.1,200 crores by Central Govt. through Planning 

Commission. 

• Rs.800 crores by State Govt. through its matching 

contribution for Central schemes and support.


BENEFICIARY AGENCIES 

• MMRDA by selling of land. 

• MHADA by sale of developed houses. 

• Collector /State Govt. – By sale of Govt. plots. 

• Railways – Mumbai, the main junction, and heavy 

goods traffic. 

• Airport |Authorities.

Responsibilities of stakeholders 

• BMC 

• MMRDA 

• Railways 

• Govt. of India 

• Govt. of Maharashtra 

• Political Leadership & Executives 

• NGOs, Citizen Organizations & Corporates


AGENCIES TO CONTRIBUTE 

• BMC have Rs.10,000 crores annual budget. 

• MMRDA – real beneficiary of land development at Bandra 

Kurla Complex. 

• MMRDA had earned/to earn Rs.25,000 crores by selling land of 

Mumbai 

• Railways, Airport Authorities, Port Trust, Defence, Navy, 

Central Govt. agencies use Mumbai. 

• Central Govt. earned Rs.80,000 crores as taxes during 2005-06 

from Mumbai. 

• State Govt. earned Rs.22,000 crores taxes and revenue from 

Mumbai.

Approach Required 

• Long term vision 

• Review of earlier masterplans and reports 

• Changes in system design 

• Identification of priority spots 

– Develop solution for these spots at local level but with regional approach 

• Emphasis on quick drainage 

• Development of natural water courses/ rivers 

• Implementation in phases with proper prioritization 

• Implementation strategy 

– Restoration/ development of drainage system 

– Resettlement of PAP 

• Development regulations 

– DC rules 

• Coordinated clearances 

– Obligations for the developers 

– Buffer zone

Major Actions Needed 

• Macro and micro level execution system. 

• Time bound action plan of 5 years. 

• Financial support and mobilization of Rs.4,000 

crores. 

• Govt. of India, State Govt., MMRDA, BMC can 

contribute and mobilize Rs.4000 crores. 

• Formation of River Authority for all the rivers – 

Mithi, Dahisar, Poisar, Oshiwara and Mahul. 

• Review & updation of BRIMSTOWAD, Chitale 

Committee recommendations. 

• Removal of encroachment on and at the 

waterways, river, major nalas.

Major Actions Needed (Contd( 

Contd…) 

• Multiple Agencies (15 Authorities) 

develops & maintain Roads & Drains 

• BMC,, BPT, CR, WR, Harbor Line, PWD, 

MSRDC, Collector, Airport Authority, State 

Govt., Central Govt., Defence/ Navy, 

MHADA, MMRDA 

• Individual planning & execution by these 

agencies affects waterways & flows

Major Actions Needed (Contd( 

Contd…) 

• Need for micro level planning & execution 

• Presently no agency studied & examined 

waterway requirement in totality 

• Absence of Apex Authority for Hydrological 

Issues 

• Further development should be allowed only 

after considering its impact on waterways 

• BMC, Hydrological Dept. should act as Apex 

Body 

• BMC Should be only body to take decision on 

drainage system

Development Of Individual 

Catchments Systems 

• Mithi- Vakola system 

• Dahisar 

• Oshiwara- Walbhat System 

• Poisar 

• Mahul 

• Non-river catchments

Development/ Improvement Of 

• System Assessment 

• Hydraulic 

• Structural 

• Functional 

• Capacity augmentation 

• Pumping stations 

• Holding basins 

• Gates 

• New drains 

Drainage System

Administrative Reforms 

• Assigning responsibility to a single body rather than 

involving multitude of bodies 

• BMC which under the BMC act is responsible for 

development and maintenance of drainage should be 

properly empowered to take necessary steps even in 

respect of other infrastructure development like raods or 

transportation network by MMRDA, Railways etc. 

• Monitoring responsibility 

• Allow engineering approach to prevail over the 

bureaucratic approach for preventing arbitrary 

implementation 

• Stricter enforcement of legislative provisions

Action In Phases - Immediate Measures 

– Apex body for hydrological clearances for any 

development 

– Formation River Authority 

– Freezing of NDZ clearances 

– Stoppage further diversion/ remodeling of nallas in 

the name of development 

– Change of user proposals must be vetted with due 

consideration for hydrological impact

Action in Phases - Phase I 

• Period : 2006 to 2008 

•System assessment 

• Capacity Enhancement in Island City 

– Desilting 

– Condition improvement 

– Pumping stations 

• Implementation of Mithi Phase II for suburbs

Action in Phases - Phase II 

• Period : 2008 to 2012 

• Development of holding basins 

• Implementation of river plans 

• Rehabilitation/ New drains in City as well as 

suburbs 

• Gates 

• Pumping station

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

• This is to acknowledge help of the data, 

material and interaction from following :– 

– Chitale Committee Report 

– CWPRS Report 

– IIT Report 

– BRIMSTOWAD Report 

– Media reports 

– Officials, Experts & Activists

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