Mumbai: This year, Hindmata may get relief from floods

  • | Saturday | 11th May, 2019

The trees that choke a British-era water drainage line near Hindmata may be removed before the rainy season. If things fall in place, the Hindmata — a chronic flood spot — may get some relief this monsoon. Now the work will be completed by next year only," said a senior officer from the Storm Water Drainage. This development can take place only if the Bombay High Court accepts the names of experts for the Tree Authority and decides on its legality. There is a deadlock for the last eight months over the removal of 52 trees to construct a new, big water drainage line near the Hindmata junction.

If things fall in place, the Hindmata — a chronic flood spot — may get some relief this monsoon. The trees that choke a British-era water drainage line near Hindmata may be removed before the rainy season. This development can take place only if the Bombay High Court accepts the names of experts for the Tree Authority and decides on its legality. If decided as legal, the tree body can give permission for the removal of 52 trees. Both the HC hearing and the TA meeting are on Monday. There is a deadlock for the last eight months over the removal of 52 trees to construct a new, big water drainage line near the Hindmata junction. The High Court held the Tree Authority – the authority which gives permission to cut or transplant trees — illegal as it lacked in independent tree experts, in October 2018. Monday will be a crucial day for the BMC. The civic body will submit names of four tree experts in the High Court. If the HC approves these names and permits the Tree Authority to function, then the body can grant permission for the removal of trees in a meeting to be held on Monday itself. The civic body has already sent the proposal to the Tree Authority. The proposal asks for a permission to cut down 36 trees and transplant 16 trees. BMC chalked out a three-fold plan to prevent flooding in Hindmata area, as Rs. 120 crores Britannia pumping station too failed to give relief. The plan includes change of two, British era arch drains into an RCC box drains near Hindmata Junction on B. J. Devrukhkar Marg and Dr. B. A. Road. The current drains are of 900 mm in width and 1200 mm in height. The newer lines will be 3000 mm in width and 1200 mm in height. There were around 87 trees which come in the way of trenching and some trees even chocked the old pipelines which slowed down the flow of water. Storm Water Drainage Department removed around 25 trees with the help of the then municipal commissioner's special permission. The municipal commissioner has the power to give permission of cutting of up to 25 trees. The work of only 375 meter of 1600 meter lines has completed due to deadlock over removing other 52 trees. "The work was supposed to complete before the monsoon. Now the work will be completed by next year only," said a senior officer from the Storm Water Drainage. He added, "But if we get permission in the next week, we can at least remove the trees which roots chock the drains. Last year after removing some trees the flow of water will improve."

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