As it prepares to concretise hundreds of kilometres of roads in the next three years to overcome the problem of potholes, the BMC plans to construct absorption pits on these roads to reduce waterlogging during heavy rain. Since concrete cannot soak water, sources in the civic body said, the pits will take some load off the stormwater drains and reduce waterlogging. They will also help recharge groundwater in the city. 

The BMC has invited tenders worth Rs 5,800 crore to convert 400 km of asphalt roads into concrete thoroughfares. The absorption pits will come up during the concretisation of the roads. Absorption pits are usually built in the middle of a road, along with dividers, or at the edges, close to the pavements. These are closed porous chambers that allow water to seep into the ground.