stations to throw out water in the sea. The 1993 report has recommended 8 such
pumping stations—5 in the island city and 3 in the suburbs,” informed Vhatkar. “Of
these 8 pumping stations, two have already been constructed at Haji Ali and Irla.
Work is under progress for two more stations at Love Grove in Worli and
Cleveland Bunder in Reay Road. For the last 2 pumping stations at Khar Danda and
Britannia, tender process is on,” he added. According to Vhatkar, the two proposed
pumping stations at Mahul and Mogra have run into rough weather due to presence
of mangroves. “Our proposal to set up pumping stations at these two sites was shot
down by the Union ministry of environment and forests. However, we have
modified the plan asking for replantation of the mangroves at an alternate site. We
are waiting for the ministry’s approval,” said Vhatkar.
In a nutshell, under phase-I of BRIMSTOWAD report, 20 works were listed. Of
these, 15 have already been complete, whereas five are facing difficulties due to the
problem of encroachment. Under phase-II, 58 works were listed. Of these 34 have
been started, two completed and 32 are under progress. Implementation of
BRIMSTOWAD project has already been delayed by 20 years. And, it seems it will
take couple of more years before the corporation can complete all the works. Till
then, Mumbai will remain on tenterhooks. According to MCGM officials, the
corporation faces two key hurdles while implementing BRIMSTOWAD projects;
First, encroachment on the site and rehabilitation of the people, Second, taking care
of utilities, such as cables, gas pipelines, etc., while carrying out the projects. Both
these factors slow down the pace of project implementation.
3.3.3 Flood Warning System and Emergency Response
Flood warning system consists of automatic rain gauges to study exact pattern of
the rain all over the island city and suburb. “Since fire brigade is the first respondent
and is on 24 h alert, MCGM has installed rain gauges at 26 fire brigade stations—
across Mumbai. This rain gauges data is transmitted to control room every one
hour,” said Jalota. The rain gauges can be further calibrated to give alarm at
prefixed rainfall intensity (above 20 mm rainfall). This data can serve as warning
and evacuation signal if required. The approximate cost of equipment/system is Rs.
2 crore.
MCGM has also set-up an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), which is
equipped with an array of communication systems—satellite phones, ham radios,
TETRA (Terrestrial Trunk Radio Access); video conferencing set-up; water supply
and ration stocks, etc. “MCGM is the only corporation in India that has undertaken
an aerial survey of the entire city and has prepared the detailed contour maps. This
task was completed in 2009–2010 and is more accurate than a GIS map. This map
can help predict the extent and intensity if area-wise flooding during rainfall. It can
thus be used to evacuate people in case of extreme weather events,” informed
Vhatkar.
Lack of Environmental Planning Exacerbating Climate Change Risks …
469
pumping stations—5 in the island city and 3 in the suburbs,” informed Vhatkar. “Of
these 8 pumping stations, two have already been constructed at Haji Ali and Irla.
Work is under progress for two more stations at Love Grove in Worli and
Cleveland Bunder in Reay Road. For the last 2 pumping stations at Khar Danda and
Britannia, tender process is on,” he added. According to Vhatkar, the two proposed
pumping stations at Mahul and Mogra have run into rough weather due to presence
of mangroves. “Our proposal to set up pumping stations at these two sites was shot
down by the Union ministry of environment and forests. However, we have
modified the plan asking for replantation of the mangroves at an alternate site. We
are waiting for the ministry’s approval,” said Vhatkar.
In a nutshell, under phase-I of BRIMSTOWAD report, 20 works were listed. Of
these, 15 have already been complete, whereas five are facing difficulties due to the
problem of encroachment. Under phase-II, 58 works were listed. Of these 34 have
been started, two completed and 32 are under progress. Implementation of
BRIMSTOWAD project has already been delayed by 20 years. And, it seems it will
take couple of more years before the corporation can complete all the works. Till
then, Mumbai will remain on tenterhooks. According to MCGM officials, the
corporation faces two key hurdles while implementing BRIMSTOWAD projects;
First, encroachment on the site and rehabilitation of the people, Second, taking care
of utilities, such as cables, gas pipelines, etc., while carrying out the projects. Both
these factors slow down the pace of project implementation.
3.3.3 Flood Warning System and Emergency Response
Flood warning system consists of automatic rain gauges to study exact pattern of
the rain all over the island city and suburb. “Since fire brigade is the first respondent
and is on 24 h alert, MCGM has installed rain gauges at 26 fire brigade stations—
across Mumbai. This rain gauges data is transmitted to control room every one
hour,” said Jalota. The rain gauges can be further calibrated to give alarm at
prefixed rainfall intensity (above 20 mm rainfall). This data can serve as warning
and evacuation signal if required. The approximate cost of equipment/system is Rs.
2 crore.
MCGM has also set-up an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), which is
equipped with an array of communication systems—satellite phones, ham radios,
TETRA (Terrestrial Trunk Radio Access); video conferencing set-up; water supply
and ration stocks, etc. “MCGM is the only corporation in India that has undertaken
an aerial survey of the entire city and has prepared the detailed contour maps. This
task was completed in 2009–2010 and is more accurate than a GIS map. This map
can help predict the extent and intensity if area-wise flooding during rainfall. It can
thus be used to evacuate people in case of extreme weather events,” informed
Vhatkar.
Lack of Environmental Planning Exacerbating Climate Change Risks …
469