Mumbai: With just four days left before the extended deadline for desilting drains, the BMC has achieved 77% of its target. So far, 7.46 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of silt have been removed out of the planned 9.69 lakh MT, as part of the city’s pre-monsoon preparedness efforts.
However, progress remains uneven, with only 68% desilting completed for minor drains and just 55% for the Mithi River raising concerns about the city’s flood preparedness in low-lying areas.
To improve transparency and curb malpractices in drain desilting, the BMC has deployed AI-powered technology this monsoon. Although desilting is usually completed by May 31, heavy rainfall on May 26 and the early onset of monsoon exposed nearly 80 new flooding spots.
Taking a review of the situation, the Mumbai City Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde had instructed civic officials to finish the remaining desilting work by June 7. However, the BMC’s dashboard figures indicate that desilting work has not progressed much recently.
As of Tuesday, desilting is complete in the Western suburbs (100%), nearly done in the Eastern suburbs (96%), and at 83% in the Island City. Officials assure the remaining work will meet the deadline. However, progress on minor drains has slowed due to solid waste dumping and encroachments.
"To address this, the BMC, with the Solid Waste Management Department, has launched a special cleanliness drive focusing on waste removal and clearing debris from riverbanks. The desilting work is expected to complete by the next week," said an official.
Meanwhile, desilting of the Mithi River has stalled following a police investigation into alleged contract irregularities. The contractors, named by the Economic Offences Wing in the Mithi River scam, have absconded. Officials said show-cause notices have been issued for the delays, but their contracts have not yet been revoked. This year the BMC has awarded a two-year contract for Rs 468 crore to carry out desilting in Mumbai.
