Mumbai: The BMC has decided to use polycarbonate (blue plastic) sheets on experimental basis to cover open nullahs in select areas of Borivali and Dahisar. This step has been taken after BMC received an increasing number of complaints by residents, against solid waste being dumped in the nullahs.
Residents of Dahisar (W) and Borivali (E) had repeatedly complained about chocked nullahs, leading to widespread diseases and causing hygiene concerns. “Based on the complaints, we decided to cover nullahs in the affected areas.
However, the body will not cover the affected nullahs with concrete slabs, but they will be covered by polycarbonated sheets,” said a civic official. He said if BMC palces concrete slabs over nullahs, there is a fear of mushrooming of illegal encroachments. “Besides, there are other issues, like it would require regular cleaning,” he said.
Further, the civic official said the sheets would be kept open after every few feet to ensure the nullahs are kept clean. “These polycarbonate sheets will be uncovered after regular intervals to allow regular cleaning,” he added. If successful, the BMC could do it on large scale in areas where there have been complaints of solid waste being dumped in the nullahs.
“This is on experimental basis and if successful, we will use the similar method in other affected areas in Mumbai,” said the civic official. The estimated cost of the project is pegged at Rs 66 lakh. The proposal would be introduced in the standing committee on Tuesday.
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