mid-day editorial: Let's hope BMC's efforts hold water this time

Those who have swum home in the notorious floods at Hindmata every Mumbai monsoon, will be relieved to know that the BMC has issued a Rs 67-crore contract to overhaul the old and arch-shaped 800-metre drains

Those who have swum home in the notorious floods at Hindmata every Mumbai monsoon, will be relieved to know that the BMC has issued a Rs 67-crore contract to overhaul the old and arch-shaped 800-metre drains.

The area's British-era drainage network is set to change in the next 18 months. Reports in this newspaper stated that a contractor has been appointed to reconstruct the dilapidated drains passing through the area. The sewers are no longer able to drain out water from Naigaon, Parel and Hindmata.

The attention to Hindmata is welcome, as this patch is particularly troublesome during the monsoon. Despite efforts to drain out water at known trouble spots, these spots invariably get flooded every monsoon.

Mumbai needs vision and will when it comes to tackling flooding situations. The immense challenges that the monsoon poses, requires preparations and long-term solutions. The civic authorities must ensure that the contractor delivers quality work and the project progresses on schedule. Too often, we see infra projects that overshoot deadlines by months, if not years. Unfortunately, this has become the norm, rather than the exception.

We have also seen contractors delivering substandard work. No sooner is the facility inaugurated, than it comes crumbling down, requiring repairs or a complete overhaul. This is a criminal waste of money and time.

This time, let us look at a top-class drainage system that rids Hindmata of its woes once and for all. If this is successful, it can be used as a blueprint for different areas in the city, though each may have different designs and parameters. High and dry at Hindmata? Let us dare to dream and deliver.

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, current affairs from Mumbai, local news, crime news and breaking headlines here

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!