Big B’s bungalow won’t get flooded this year

Almost every year, actor Amitabh Bachchan’s Juhu bungalow Prateeksha gets flooded with almost knee-high rainwater.

This year may just be better, with the BMC planning to activate before the monsoon sets in, the Irla pumping station, which will help channel rainwater into the sea.

Last year, rainwater filled up the lawns inside Bachchan’s compound, as well as the ground floor of his office Janak located nearby. Bachchan was constantly on the move between Prateeksha and his other bungalow, Jalsa, helping his staff move his possessions to a higher level.

“This year, Amitabh need not worry,” Uddhav Thackeray said on Wednesday, at the Irla pumping station site. Chandrakant Watve, chief engineer, Storm Water Drains, said: “Juhu and Vile Parle residents will get relief this monsoon.”

The Irla pumping station assumes significance during high tide. Usually, the nullah floodgates are closed to prevent the flow of seawater into the city. The city has two pumping stations to manage floodwater levels — one at Haji Ali. The other pump at Irla is ready to be deployed for this monsoon.