Underground water tanks to prevent flooding on tracks
Mumbai: In a bid to tackle the recurring issue of waterlogging that disrupts Mumbai's suburban railway services every monsoon,
Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation
(MRVC) has partnered with Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for constructing underground water storage tanks on railway land. The move aims to provide a long-term solution to flooding that routinely affects operations on the Central, Harbour, and Western Railway corridors.
The study, conducted under Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) 3A, will explore the potential of building large underground tanks capable of temporarily storing excess rainwater during peak monsoon hours. These tanks would serve as temporary holding zones for stormwater, reducing strain on existing drainage systems and preventing disruption to railway operations. The initiative will be funded by Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
A senior MRVC official said, "We are exploring all available railway land, whether on the Mainline, Harbour, Trans-Harbour, or Western corridors. The objective is to identify viable spots where underground storage infrastructure can be developed without affecting train operations or future expansion plans."
Waterlogging remains a persistent issue despite regular pre-monsoon desilting efforts. Flooded tracks not only cause delays but also lead to technical failures in signal and traction systems, severely affecting punctuality and safety of suburban services.
The year-long study by IIT-B will include technical assessments of soil, topography, and existing drainage systems. It will also examine integration of the tanks with existing municipal infrastructure to maximise utility.
The concept takes inspiration from BMC's successful model implemented in Hindmata area. Two major underground tanks — beneath Pramod Mahajan Kala Park and St Xavier's ground — have a combined capacity of 6.48 crore litres. These tanks significantly mitigated flooding in the region during last year's monsoon, with the Hindmata tank alone receiving a 2-crore litre capacity boost.
If the study yields positive results, similar infrastructure could be rolled out across multiple flood-prone locations on the city's vast suburban railway network.
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