Mumbai: Western Railway has intensified its monsoon preparedness, recording a 17% increase in high-capacity dewatering pumps this year to prevent track flooding and minimize disruption to suburban and long-distance services. The network now has 126 high-capacity pumps — 22 more than last year — positioned to speed up water removal from vulnerable stretches during heavy rainfall.Officials said track lifting has been recommended at flood-prone Vasai, low-lying Matunga and Nallasopara, along with platform raising wherever required. The Matunga Road–Mumbai Central section, which frequently faces waterlogging, is largely affected by inadequate and clogged drainage as well as external constraints, including permissions from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). With drain augmentation already approved, coordinated action with the BMC and planned track lifting, the flooding issue on this corridor is expected to be significantly checked ahead of the monsoon.Alongside pumping capacity, Western Railway has accelerated preventive civil works. Around 60km of drains are being cleaned, while desilting of culverts is underway at 58 locations. The railway has also deployed “muck specials” to remove silt and debris from tracks and drainage channels, with about 600 trips planned to clear accumulated muck quickly and systematically.Construction and repair of drains are in progress, with more than 4km of drains repaired and about 7km of new drains constructed. Additional measures include cleaning of culverts, collection and disposal of muck, and monitoring through flood gauges and rain gauges to enable faster response during intense downpours.
