Mumbai, May 28 (Reporter) The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has imposed penalties of Rs 10 lakh each on operators of four mini pumping stations for failing to effectively manage waterlogging at key junctions in the city following heavy rains earlier this week, an official said on Wednesday. On Monday, heavy rains led to severe waterlogging in several low-lying areas of the city, disrupting vehicular traffic and causing temporary suspension of suburban train services on some routes. Areas affected included King’s Circle, Mantralaya, Dadar TT East, Parel TT, Kalachowki, Wadala, Hindmata, Kemps Corner, Churchgate, Chinchpokli, and Dadar. According to a statement issued by the BMC late Tuesday, the operators at Hindmata, Gandhi Market, Yellow Gate, and Chunabhatti — locations known to be prone to flooding — were penalised for failing to set up and operate the mini pumping stations as mandated under the city’s pre-monsoon preparedness plan. As per contract terms, these stations were required to be fully operational before May 25 to mitigate the risk of water accumulation. The BMC noted that despite advance planning, the pumping systems at these sites failed to function at full capacity during the record rainfall on May 26, when several areas received up to 250 mm of rain within 13 hours. This lapse resulted in significant waterlogging, traffic gridlock, and temporary disruption of train services, particularly near Masjid station. Chunabhatti, though it experienced comparatively less rainfall, was also included in the punitive action due to inadequate pump operation. The civic body underscored that it has established 10 mini pumping stations across Mumbai, with operations outsourced to private agencies, specifically to address waterlogging in flood-prone zones. The BMC has warned that any negligence or lapse in monsoon management will attract strict action...////...