Opposition lashes out at BMC as south & central Mumbai flood

MUMBAI: With parts of south and central Mumbai witnessing massive flooding on Monday, the opposition slammed the BMC and claimed that Cyclone Tauktae has washed away BMC’s tall claim of completing most of the pre-monsoon works.
Warden Road, Breach Candy, Cadbury Junction on Peddar Road, Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Kamathipura and even Shivaji Park area were waterlogged for several hours in the morning.Chronic flooding spots, like Hindmata in Parel and Gandhi Market in Sion, were also inundated .
“BMC’s claim of carrying out desilting work has been washed out. There was no coordination between any of its departments,” said Samajwadi Party MLA and corporator Rais Shaikh.
Tweeting visuals of trash floating in nullahs near Love Grove pumping station, Shaikh added: “The pumping was not pressed into service till late afternoon. Despite spending crores on setting up pumping stations, there is no relief for citizens.”
BJP MLA from Bandra (E) Ashish Shelar said: “Civic and police personnel were on the ground, but the flooding exposed BMC’s claim of carrying out pre-monsoon works. The ruling party in the BMC [Shiv Sena] and contractors can’t escape the responsibility this time. I demand a probe by the BMC chief.”
Admitting that there was flooding in parts of south and central Mumbai, additional municipal commissioner (projects) P Velrasu said they will call for a meeting and review the situation.
“A coffer dam was erected for some civil works at Love Grove pumping station. We will check whether or not this prevented the water from reaching the pumping station,” Velrasu said. “Some issues related to flow of water from the railway culvert have also been pointed out. The working of the pumping station on time will also be checked. All this will be examined and corrective measures will be taken before monsoon.” Earlier this month, mayor Kishori Pednekar had said 76% of desilting work was completed in the western suburbs.