Mumbai: Mankhurd Underpass Repairs Face Delays, Raising Monsoon Concerns for Maharashtra Nagar Residents

Mumbai, 13th May 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) repair work on the crucial underpass connecting Mankhurd T-junction to Maharashtra Nagar remains incomplete, despite a three-month deadline set when the project began in December 2024. Four months on, only one section of the underpass has been concreted, while work on the remaining stretch is still underway, casting doubt on whether the repairs will finish before the onset of the monsoon.

The underpass, constructed nearly 25 years ago to provide a vital link across the busy Sion-Panvel Highway and beneath the railway line, is the only safe route for thousands of Maharashtra Nagar residents and daily commuters. Years of neglect had left the road surface riddled with potholes and the tunnel in a state of disrepair, subjecting users to severe inconvenience, especially during the monsoon when waterlogging is rampant. As a result, many residents were forced to dangerously cross the railway tracks to avoid the flooded and damaged underpass.

Responding to persistent complaints from citizens, the BMC launched phased repairs in December, promising improved concrete surfacing and aesthetic enhancements, including painting and a new roof structure. However, with the monsoon approaching and only partial completion, residents now fear another season of hardship. “Will we have to face the same inconvenience again this monsoon?” is the question many are asking, as only one section has seen progress.

To alleviate pedestrian woes, a foot overbridge was constructed recently, providing some relief, but the underpass remains the primary route for vehicular and large-scale pedestrian movement. The BMC had planned to avoid traffic disruptions by carrying out the repairs in phases, but delays have persisted.

A major challenge is the underpass’s low-lying location, which leads to annual flooding. To address this, the civic body has proposed a mini pumping station within the railway boundary, featuring a storage tank and three high-capacity pumps to drain water efficiently. However, this solution is still in the tendering stage, with no immediate timeline for completion.

As the rains draw near, Maharashtra Nagar’s residents remain anxious, hoping the BMC will expedite the remaining concrete work and drainage initiatives to prevent another monsoon of waterlogging and hazardous commutes.