Mumbai Rains: Dig out, dump back!

Silt drying on the road in Bandra East; (right) Nafees Ansari, a Govandi resident

With pre-monsoon showers already soaking parts of Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) much-publicised pre-monsoon cleaning drive has ironically become a fresh source of public frustration. Across the city, residents are raising a stink over unattended heaps of silt, uncollected garbage excavated from drains, and tree trimmings dumped along roadsides - all leftovers from BMC's ongoing nullah-cleaning exercise.

While the annual desilting of stormwater drains is meant to prevent flooding and waterlogging, the filth left along roadsides has created a different set of problems. Mumbaikars complain that instead of swiftly transporting the removed silt to landfill sites, contractors have left the waste on the streets for over a week, and in some areas, even up to 15 days.

Andheri

Piles of pruned tree branches are adding to the mess. "The footpaths are unwalkable. Tree waste and garbage are blocking the way. We're worried it'll turn into a breeding ground for insects and mosquitoes," said a resident from Andheri.

Piles of pruned tree branches are adding to the mess near Andheri RTO

Locals fear the civic body's sluggish follow-up could undo the purpose of the cleanup and pose health hazards with the monsoon approaching. As complaints mount, citizens are urging the BMC to act swiftly before rain activity intensifies and Mumbai's annual waterlogging woes begin in full force.

In Andheri West, negligence was also reported near the RTO office. On Wednesday afternoon, cut branches and twigs from tree trimming work were still lying uncleared along the roadside.

The situation is no better along Dattaji Salvi Road - from the Andheri RTO signal to Veera Desai junction - where debris, including small branches and twigs, was scattered, inconveniencing pedestrians and motorists alike.

"The silt is left to dry for two to four days before being transported to dumping grounds. This is standard procedure," said an official from BMC's R North ward.
"Residents need not worry. We will remove the dried silt and garbage from the roadsides before the heavy rains arrive," he assured.

Tilaknagar

"I live in Tilaknagar. The BMC needs to take desilting more seriously. Just look at the state of Somaiya nullah - they should bring in someone with dredging expertise from Mumbai Port to clean it properly," said local resident P R Vijayraghavan.

Govandi

"The entire stretch near our locality smells foul. The silt has dried up in the sun and now just lies there, collecting dust and flies," said Nafees Ansari, a Govandi resident. "If it rains again, it'll just flow back into the drains and also spread onto the roads. What's the point of cleaning then?"

Nafees Ansari points to the dried-up silt lying on the road

Civic officials say the silt is supposed to be left to dry for two to three days to avoid spills during transportation. However, in several wards, this timeline has long passed, with no sign of removal.

Raising another concern, Fayyaz Alam Shaikh, also from Govandi, said: "The desilting waste, originally removed in wet form, has now completely dried. It's turned into fine, loose particles resembling dry soil or ash and is blending into the road surface."

He added, "Mud and silt waste has been lying on Govandi roads for over eight days now, violating BMC's 48-hour pickup rule and 24-hour grievance redressal norms. This is gross negligence. Contractors should be blacklisted and officials held accountable."

Bandra and Mulund

Rotting tree trimmings and drying muck also continue to lie on roads in Mulund East (under T Ward) and parts of Bandra East.

Rotting tree trimmings

"The muck removed from drains 15 to 20 days ago is still lying around - and much of it has already flowed back into the drains. What's the point of removing it only to let it return? It's a waste of time, resources, and taxpayer money," said Anant Darji, a Mulund resident. "Worse, it's made the area filthier."

Drying muck on roads at various areas of Bandra East

"Every year, the BMC spends crores on desilting before the monsoon, but it's all in vain. The waste is dumped right next to the drains, and when it rains, it flows back in. Why not take it directly to the dumping ground?" asked Nirmal Thakkar, also from Mulund.

Drying muck in Mulund East

Dahisar

"Despite reporting the issue to BMC officials, the filth remains exactly where it was dumped. Is the BMC waiting for the rain to wash it all back into the drains? This nullah safai has become a joke. It feels like they clean the drains only to dirty the roads," said Deepshikha Sagar from N L Complex, Dahisar.

Residents are increasingly worried about health risks. The stagnant waste has become a breeding ground for flies and mosquitoes, raising fears of disease outbreaks with the monsoon looming.

"The silt and muck removed from drains should be promptly and safely transported to dumping grounds. If left unattended, it will flow back into the drains, causing early flooding and health hazards. We already saw signs of this during last week's brief showers, and now more rain is expected," warned Madhu Mehta, a resident of Anand Nagar, Dahisar East.

"It's shocking to see mounds of silt just lying on the roadside. If it rains, it will slide back into open drains, completely defeating the purpose of the desilting drive," said Jitendra Rautela, another Anand Nagar resident. "Worse still, it causes serious inconvenience to pedestrians and commuters."

Vikhroli

In Vikhroli's Kannamwar Nagar, along Durga Mata Maidan Road, desilting was recently carried out, but silt has remained on the road for five days, said resident Rajendra Kamble. "The contractor removed most of the silt, but not all of it. Some is still lying there. During the recent rains, it spread further, making it harder for pedestrians to walk and creating a foul smell," he added. The rain, he said, had only worsened the situation by turning the leftover silt into a wet, stinking mess.

Silt has remained on the road for five days in Kannamwar Nagar

A BMC official, who is monitoring desilting work, said, "I will instruct the contractor to remove the remaining silt immediately. If residents observe that the contractor is not carrying out the work properly, they are encouraged to register complaints either on social media or by calling the BMC's 1916 helpline."