Mumbai: With the monsoon just days away, nullah desilting work in zone 5 of the city, which includes areas such as Kurla, Chunabhatti, Deonar, Anushakti Nagar, Govandi, Mankhurd, and Tilak Nagar in Chembur, is far from complete. The task has now been reassigned to the contractor handling zone 6, as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) anticipates that the cleanup operations in zone 5 will only be finalized by June 10, missing the original May 31 deadline.
Current Progress and Contractor Issues
According to the civic body, only 69% of the desilting target in zone 5 has been achieved so far. The BMC's standing committee has directed the administration to take strict action against the errant contractor. Committee chairperson Prabhakar Shinde stated that if the contractor lacks the necessary equipment, it amounts to cheating the civic body.
Inspections Reveal Unauthorized Structures
Leader of the House in BMC, Ganesh Khankar, reported that an inspection at BKC on Monday uncovered an unauthorized two-storey structure built over a nullah. Khankar questioned the administration for not removing the structure and noted the absence of engineers monitoring the work at the site.
Health Committee Chairperson's Observations
BMC health committee chairperson Harish Bhandirge said he had written to the administration on May 6, highlighting that desilting work was not being carried out in zone 5. Following this, he visited several nullahs along with civic officials on May 13 and found no work had been undertaken. Officials assured him that work would begin the next day. However, Bhandirge revisited the nullahs on May 23 and still found no progress. After warning that he would raise the matter before the standing committee, civic officials deployed equipment at Bharati Nagar nullah and carried out some token work.
Political Reactions
NCP functionary Sayeeda Khan reiterated that the BMC is neglecting stormwater drain outfalls, which are critical for flood prevention during heavy rains.
Overall Progress
Despite the setbacks in zone 5, the BMC reported that 96% of the overall desilting operations across the city and 64% of the work on the Mithi river have been completed.
