BMC uploads proof of desilting work

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started uploading before and after pictures as proof of its claims that the desilting of nullahs is going on in full swing.

The storm water department (SWD) of the civic body has been told by new BMC chief Praveen Pardeshi at the recent pre-monsoon review meeting that there is need to allay concerns that the desilting of nullahs is not being carried out properly, a senior officer said.

However, the fact remains that as of May 14, only 70 per cent of the de-silting of nullahs had been completed.

A senior of the SWD department said, “As of May 14, the desilting of major nullahs has been completed around 70 per cent and that of minor nullahs around 40 per cent. We are sure that the cleaning of major nullahs will be completed in time even as we have told contractors to speed up work on minor nullahs.”

The BMC starts desilting of nullahs through its contractors on April 1 every year and the deadline for completion of work is May 15. However, it has been extended to May 31.

The monsoon officially hits Mumbai in June and the desilting of nullahs is the most crucial work to avoid water-logging in the city.

Mumbai has 252 km of major nullahs and 420 km of minor nullahs. While, there are 1,991 km of roadside drains and 565 km of closed pipelines (dhapa drains found in South Mumbai).

The officer said, “We are also working to reduce the number of water-logging spots.  During the last monsoon, 225 to 230 such spots were identified and work on over 30 spots out of them has been completed. Work is in progress on the remaining spots and we are confident it will help avoid water-logging at many locations.”