Orders strict action against ward officials, contractors and staff of PWD for negligence on a report on emergence of new flooding spots
Mumbai
Municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte has directed strict action to be taken against certain ward officials, contractors and staff of the public works department (PWD) for negligence after analysing a report prepared on the flooding spots this monsoon. The report was made after the emergence of new flooding spots this year as the civic body received several complaints of flooding after the July 2 rains.
Subsequently, civic officials figured that 17 new flooding spots have emerged this year, along with the other 112 chronic spots. Kunte, as head of BMC’s disaster management authority, had called an internal meeting with the four additional commissioners of the civic body and officials of the storm water drain (SWD) department, where he had asked for a detailed report on the emergence of the new flooding spots.
As per Kunte, a notice may be issued to chief engineer (PWD) under section 51 of the Disaster Management Act for not carrying out proper desilting of the mega city nullah along the Eastern Express Highway, which led to localised flooding in Postal Colony and Thakkar Bappa colony in the eastern suburbs. A major part of this nullah comes under the jurisdiction of the PWD.
For localised flooding near Metro stations at Andheri, Chakala, DN Nagar, the report said the MMOPL/MMRDA did not connect their station SWD to the municipal SWD, despite repeated instructions. Moreover, civic officials observed that construction of piers had blocked the SWD partially which reduced its carrying capacity. Kunte has directed a notice to be issued under section 51 of the Disaster Management Act to the authorities concerned.
The report shows that the localised flooding that took place near the NS Phadke Marg, was because of not cleaning of water entrances by the K west ward. Kunte has asked for strict action to be taken against drainage assistant and the local NGO which is supposed to supply labour for the job. He has also mentioned that all deployment shown against this work shall be deemed to be bogus billing and the assistant commissioner of the ward will be issued warning in this regard.
For flooding at the VM Road and Juhu 10th Road junction area, where the water goes through a low-lying area, a wall has been constructed with the BMC’s permission. While the wall has been demolished by the assistant commissioner of K west ward Vishwas Shankarwar, Kunte has asked for a notice to be issued under MRTP to the owner of the premises and to the designated officer concerned for negligence in detecting the unauthorised construction.
A notice to prosecute the contractor of the flyover near Kherwadi, J Kumar, under the same act was recommended by Kunte, for the contractor’s inability to make proper provision for drainage of water, which caused flooding in that area.
BMC storm water drain department head Laxman Vhatkar informed that the notices have been served already to the authorities concerned, including the PWD. “We have also asked wards to ensure that the mistakes are not repeated,” the official said.
New Flooding spots
1. Shiv Aashish Colony, Kandivali
2. Dattaji Gram, Kandivali
3. Mirawala Chawl, Kandivali
4. Palm Court, Malad
5. Abdul Husain Chawl, Malad
6. Maitry Park, Goregaon
7. Bahar Juction, Andheri
8. Gulistan, Andheri
9. Juhu Bus depot, Andheri
10. Prabhat Nagar, Rambai, Ghatkopar
11.Bhimjyot School, Ghatkopar
12. Shanti Nagar, Marol
13. Ashok Nagar, Marol
14. Talav Palchadi road, Marol
15. Akruti centre point, Marol
16. Safed pul, Marol
17. Bail Bazar, Marol
Sachin Unhalekar
