Illegal mud dumping in Mithi river near Aarey

Mumbai: NGO Vanashakti has alleged that a huge pile of mud has been illegally dumped in the Mithi river near Filterpada bridge in Aarey Milk Colony.  While the site acts as a catchment area of the Mithi river, the NGO also pointed out that it is being encroached upon by developers in the process.

The site is near the sewage treatment plant of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) near Filterpada. When The Asian Age visited the site, a huge portion of the river stream was under a pile of mud. “A developer has started work adjacent to it. It seems that this is an attempt to change the landscape for building construction,” said Stalin Dayanand, project director, Vanashakti.

Vanashakti has also written to the Mumbai suburban collector seeking an immediate action on the matter. “Since the area is a Mithi river flood plain, any kind of construction or reclamation could be ecologically dangerous and will lead to flood situations in the area,” added Mr Dayanand.

Meanwhile, the collector office stated that they have taken cognisance of the issue. “We have received the complaint today. Only after a site inspection, we can conclude anything,” said an official from the Mumbai suburban collector office.