Mumbai Metro Contractor DOGUS-SOMA JV Fined Rs10 Lakh after Water Leakage Disrupts Services at Acharya Atre Chowk Station

Moneylife Digital Team 09 July 2025

Economy & Nation

A significant water leakage at the Acharya Atre Chowk metro station during a heavy downpour on 26 May 2025 led to major disruptions in Mumbai Metro services, prompting an internal investigation and the imposition of a Rs10 lakh penalty on DOGUS-SOMA JV, the contractor responsible for the leakage. The incident exposed lapses in preventive infrastructure management and disaster readiness.

According to information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by activist Anil Galgali, the contractor DOGUS-SOMA JV was held responsible for the lapse. The project’s chief project manager-1, Rajesh Kumar Mittal, issued a show-cause notice (SCN) to the contractor citing operational negligence and inadequate emergency response. Following the findings, a fine of Rs10 lakh was levied on the contractor.

The breach, which occurred at the concourse level of the station, was triggered by the collapse of a temporary fire barrier wall at the B2 entry and exit point. As heavy rain lashed the city, rainwater mixed with debris gushed into the station box, affecting critical systems across multiple levels—including the platform, concourse, undercroft, AFC (automatic fare collection), signalling, telecom, electrical circuits and the station’s control room. Services were suspended immediately to ensure public safety.

Due to the sudden and intense rainfall today, water seepage was reported at the under-construction entry/exit structure of Acharya Atrey Chowk station, located along Dr. Annie Besant Road. The incident occurred when the RCC water-retaining wall constructed at entry/ exit was…
— MumbaiMetro3 (@MumbaiMetro3) May 26, 2025

The general consultant’s preliminary report revealed that a dedicated dewatering system—equipped with pumps designed to handle rainwater and groundwater—had already been installed in the EE-B3 section. However, during the incident, the operator failed to activate the system in time, allowing water to accumulate rapidly throughout the station.

While the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) later described the flooding as a 'freak incident', they acknowledged damage to architectural finishes which the contractor was directed to repair. According to officials, restoration work was completed within five days. No action has been taken against any agency or government official, citing the one-off nature of the failure.

RTI activist Galgali, however, raised concerns about accountability. “Such negligence in a critical public infrastructure project built with taxpayers’ money is unacceptable,” he says. “It not only inconveniences thousands of commuters but also results in unnecessary financial loss.”

Mr Galgali says he had written to the chief minister (CM) and Metro-3 authorities demanding stronger safeguards and better disaster preparedness.

He further stressed that in a city like Mumbai, known for its intense monsoon season, metro systems must prioritise structural resilience and emergency readiness. The incident, he says, serves as a warning that even isolated failures can paralyse vital services unless stricter monitoring and accountability are enforced.

Comments