Only 79,000 metric tonnes of silt have been removed out of 2.07 lakh targeted; officials blame delayed court clearance for late start; So far, the BMC has cleaned 51 per cent of nullahs in the city area, 70 per cent in the eastern suburbs, and 68.31 per cent in the western suburbs
One of the excavators used to de-silt the Mithi river. Pic/nimesh dave
The second week of May has arrived, but only 37 per cent of the desilting work on the Mithi river has been completed. Progress on the desilting of minor drains stands at 38 per cent, according to civic officials, who nevertheless claim that the work will be finished on time.
Desilting of the nullahs began in the first week of April. So far, the BMC has cleaned 51 per cent of nullahs in the city area, 70 per cent in the eastern suburbs, and 68.31 per cent in the western suburbs.
A trash boom connected to a conveyor system clears garbage
“The Mithi river desilting work was delayed due to a court case. It only began after the second week of April. That’s the main reason for the delay. But we are confident that the cleaning will be completed by the end of May. Even the desilting of minor drains will be completed on time,” said a BMC official.
The BMC is spending R550 crore over two years on desilting the city’s nullahs and the Mithi river. As per BMC policy, 75 per cent of the silt is to be removed before the monsoon, and 15 per cent during the monsoon. The city has 247.84 km of major nullahs and 241.36 km of minor nullahs. The Mithi river stretches 22.25 km.
The BMC has set a target to remove 9.63 lakh metric tonnes of silt from all nullahs and the Mithi river. So far, it has completed 48 per cent of the work, which amounts to 4.71 lakh metric tonnes. Out of a target of 2.07 lakh metric tonnes for the Mithi river, the BMC has removed 79,156 metric tonnes. From the minor nullahs, the BMC had aimed to remove 3.88 lakh metric tonnes of silt but has so far cleared 1.48 lakh metric tonnes.
“Some parts of the city have already started receiving rain, so the roadside drains need immediate cleaning, as these feed into the major nullahs. Even the Mithi river must be cleaned on time. The BMC should start work earlier to ensure it finishes by the end of May,” said civic activist Nikhil Desai.
“The Mithi river is crucial because it carries overflow water from Powai and Vihar lakes. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the river’s holding capacity,” Desai added.
9.63lakh MT
Quantity of silt to be removed from all nullahs as well as the Mithi river
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