Revamped stormwater solution protects Bandra's St. Paul’s Road from flooding, this monsoon season

In a monsoon miracle on St Paul's Road in Bandra, for the first time in many seasons, rainwater has not flooded the streets. This year, despite heavy downpours, this vital 500 meter-stretch remained clear of water-logging, thanks to a revamped stormwater drain installed by BMC.

Linking Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Bandra West, St Paul's Road has historically struggled with severe flooding. Former Bandra Councillor, Asif Zakaria highlighted the transformative impact of the new stormwater drain, initiated after a visit by former Additional Municipal Commissioner P Velrasu. The drain runs beneath the road, all the way to the Chimbai pumping station outfall, effectively managing rainwater runoff, he explained. 

Local residents of Bandra have expressed immense relief. One resident recalled past anxieties and shared, “We used to worry about heavy rains coinciding with high tide, knowing our area would be submerged until now.” 

However, a retired civil engineer from IIT-Bombay, while acknowledging the improvement, emphasised the need for better adherence to construction specifications.