Corporators allege another nullah desilting scam

While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is already reeling under corruption charges in last year’s desilting works, another scam appears to be in the offing this year as well. In an attempt to increase the volume of their silt, contractors are found to be dumping debris into the city nullahs only to remove it as silt later and transport it to the dumping places.

To prevent malpractices in desilting works, the civic body has laid down strict guidelines this year. Accordingly, the silt is now measured in tonnes instead of cubic metres and every weighbridge has a municipal chowky. The vehicle tracking system (VTS), which is being used to track the silt carrying dumpers, is connected to the municipal server.

However, corporators have alleged that contractors have found a new practice to dodge the BMC’s watch as they have been mixing the debris with the silt and then carrying it to their designated dumping places.

Opposition leader and Congress corporator Pravin Chheda said, “Contractors are dumping debris in the Mithi river and showing it as silt during the transportation. The civic body should hold a detailed inquiry into this.”

Corporators also alleged that the BMC is lagging behind despite the deadline for pre-monsoon desilting works is over. “In G-North ward, several nullahs in Dharavi are still not been cleaned properly,” said house leader Trishna Vishwasrao from Shiv Sena.

Admitting to missing the deadline, the civic administration said that only 80 per cent desilting works have been carried out so far before the monsoon. The BMC has set a target of 60 per cent desilting before May 31.

Additional municipal commissioner I.A. Kundan said that 80 per cent of these 60 per cent desilting works has been completed. The remaining works would be completed quickly so that Mumbaikars do not face any water logging problems, she said.