09 May,2025 04:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar said that he would follow up with the BMC commissioner to analyse silt billing data and hold contractors accountable. Representational Pic/File/Ashish Raje
An Artificial Intelligence (AI) audit of drain-cleaning operations in Mumbai has found irregularities of around 40 per cent in silt removal, Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar said on Friday, reported the PTI.
Ashish Shelar, the Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister, said that he has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner to analyse the drain cleaning data and ensure that contractors meet the expected standards.
The minister conducted an inspection of nullahs across the city's suburbs on Friday.
The inspection began at Laxmi Nagar nullah near Ghatkopar bus depot and included visits to the nullahs in the A.P.I., Usha Nagar, Mahul and Kharu Creek areas.
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"For years, I have demanded the use of technology to measure the removal of silt. This year, the BMC used AI to monitor and map the process. The discrepancy percentage turned out to be as high as 40 per cent," Shelar said, according to the PTI.
He said officials presented video evidence showing AI scanning of dumping sites.
Out of more than 40,000 recorded trips, about 17,000 showed discrepancies, including overreported silt volumes, underreporting, and dumping debris or soil instead of silt, Shelar added.
He further stated that he would follow up with the BMC commissioner to analyse silt billing data and hold contractors accountable.
During the inspection, officials reviewed the A.P.I. and Usha Nagar nullahs in Bhandup.
The Usha Nagar nullah runs under a railway bridge, which was slated to be razed in 2020. But the demolition has only recently started.
At Mahul, only 10 to 15 per cent of the nullah cleaning work has been completed, and no work has started at Kharu Creek.
He raised concerns about waterlogging between Kanjurmarg and Bhandup if the work remains incomplete.
The minister ordered the immediate commencement of work at these sites to reduce monsoon-related risks, the news agency reported.
The BMC has been conducting pre-monsoon desilting and drain-cleaning drives across Mumbai.
The Mumbai civic body's clean-up drive is part of monsoon preparations and is aimed at preventing waterlogging and ensuring a smooth flow of rainwater during rains in city, the officials had earlier said.
Earlier, the Mumbai civic chief mentioned that for the first time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used to monitor the desilting process--from silt extraction to weighing, transportation, and disposal. All recorded footage is being analysed by the AI system to ensure proper oversight.
(with PTI inputs)
