Mithi must be studied again'
The MRDPA has not held a single meeting with BMC and MMRDA in the last 9 years. Since its formation in 2005, the MRDPA has held only six meetings.
Mumbai: With the Mithi River overflowing every monsoon, the claims of officials of the Mithi River Development and Protection Authority (MRDPA) of having completed 98 per cent of Mithi River’s development, as per the master plan, has fallen flat. Officials now claim that the master plan is outdated and an updated study on the river is required.
The MRDPA has not held a single meeting with BMC and MMRDA in the last 9 years. Since its formation in 2005, the MRDPA has held only six meetings. The last one was conducted in May 2010.
Shankar Deshpande, member secretary of the MRDPA said, “Our work was to study and provide a master plan for Mithi River development to the implementing agencies — BMC and MMRDA. Our work was done in 2010 and the authorities informed us that only 2 per cent work is remaining.”
However, a senior Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officer who did not wish to be named said, “The Mithi river development plan, made after the July 2005 flood, focused on widening and deepening the river. However, in the last 15 years, there have been changes in the geomantic, hydrology, river patterns and catchment areas, which needs to be considered. An updated study on Mithi River is required.”
Speaking about the Wednesday’s deluge, he said, “Heavy rainfall causes dams to overflow, ultimately resulting in overflowing of the Mithi River. All these factors should be taken into consideration to prevent overflowing of the river,” he added.
Activist Anil Galgali said, “Whatever work is been done is not proper and the authorities need to wake up.”
On Wednesday, around 1,300 people in Kranti Nagar along the Mithi River were evacuated after the river overflowed. This was second such instance this monsoon.
The overflowing of Mithi affects the Chunabhatti-Kurla stretch as rainwater inundates the railway tracks halting rail services.