Vasai-Virar civic body begins LiDAR survey to end flooding, plans for next 30 years

The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation has taken a major step to protect the city, which is submerged every monsoon, from floods for good. The corporation has taken up the work keeping in view the city's likely expansion over the next 30 years. With the help of the Central Water and Power Research Station at Khadakwasla in Pune, work has begun on a high-tech LiDAR survey of the whole city and a map of extreme flooding.

The study was launched recently in the presence of Mayor Ajeev Patilya and Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj P.

For many years, low-lying areas of Vasai, Nalasopara and Virar have been waterlogged in the rains, bringing the lives of ordinary people to a standstill. In 2018, the corporation spent Rs 12 crore on a preliminary study. Short-term and long-term plans were drawn up on the basis of that report, but several projects were left stalled for lack of money. Now new technology is being used to tackle the problem at its root.

The new survey will focus on three things. The first is a 30-year vision: given growing urbanisation, a system has to be built for the next three decades through which rainwater drains away naturally and quickly. The second is a study of tides. To understand how sea tides affect the reverse flow of water in drains, a modern mathematical model will be used. The third is mapping of basic deficiencies. LiDAR technology will place the city's small highs and lows, obstructions and flood-prone areas accurately on a map.

Even before the technical report arrives, the corporation has started several works from its own funds to provide relief in the meantime. The main roads in low-lying areas such as Suncity Gas Road, Achole Main Road, Navghar East Road, Virar-Kharodi (Bolinj) and Central Park have been raised in phases. In addition, work is under way on a plan to build an important holding pond at Nilemore, in association with private developers, to collect excess rainwater.

Waterlogging on the railway tracks between Nalasopara and Virar in the rains often halts Central and Western Railway trains. To remove this problem, the corporation had given the railway administration Rs 26.71 crore. With this money, large railway culverts have been completed at three key locations: on the north side of Nalasopara, on the south side between Nalasopara and Virar, and between Vasai Road and Nalasopara. They will help water drain from under the tracks at twice the earlier speed.

To implement the entire flood control plan, the corporation has asked the state government for a special fund of Rs 295 crore. Efforts have been stepped up to complete the project with World Bank assistance under the Maharashtra Resilience Development Programme.