Serious concerns have been raised by local residents over the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s (NMMC) alleged failure to carry out the mandatory pre-monsoon cleaning of key stormwater drains in the CBD Belapur area. This negligence is suggested to potentially result in severe flooding and pose a threat to both property and human life during monsoons.
The affected drains stretch from the Sector 8B dam to the Sion-Panvel Highway, and from the Sector 1 nursery to the same highway. These drains residents pointed out that are crucial for channeling rainwater during the monsoon season. However, residents report that untreated sewage has been illegally diverted into these stormwater drains, causing a rampant growth of aquatic vegetation, some of which has reached heights of 4–5 feet.
Traditionally, the NMMC carries out desilting and cleaning of these drains twice a year — before and after the monsoon. "This year, however, no such work has been initiated before the onset of the rains, despite repeated warnings from local citizens," said residents.
Experts and residents alike fear that heavy rains could cause these overgrown plants and accumulated debris to get lodged under key bridges — including those near the Gurudwara, Belapur-Kharghar service road, and the Sion-Panvel highway. This could lead to a complete blockage of water flow.
In such an event, there is a high risk that water will reverse its course and flood into low-lying areas near Lions Park, especially CBD sectors 4, 5, and 6. "With bridge clearances being low in these zones, the possibility of extensive flooding and building damage is significant. The situation could even result in human casualties," said the residents.
Activists have warned that if any such disaster occurs, civic authorities may be held legally accountable and could face charges of culpable homicide due to their inaction.
Residents are now urgently demanding that the NMMC take immediate steps to clean and restore the affected drains before the monsoon season intensifies.
