Mumbai BJP President Advocates for In-House Desilting of Mithi River
In a significant development, Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam has formally raised concerns with Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde and the civic chief regarding the desilting of the Mithi river ahead of the monsoon season. This move follows a recent report by the Times of India on March 4, which highlighted how the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) scaled down both the extent and cost of the desilting project.
Satam's Proposal for Departmental Execution
In a letter dated March 5, Satam strongly argued that the BMC should consider carrying out the desilting work departmentally, rather than relying on external contractors. He emphasized that river desilting is not a complex task and can be managed efficiently by the civic body itself.
"River desilting is not rocket science," Satam wrote. "The BMC can hire or procure machinery, deploy labour and execute the work itself. This could lead to significant cost savings while also ensuring quality work and breaking the monopoly and blackmailing established by certain contractors."
Satam pointed to a previous successful experiment by the BMC, where a similar model was used for cleaning Juhu Beach, suggesting that this approach could be replicated for the Mithi river project.
Background of Contractor Issues and Uncertainty
The letter comes at a critical time when the civic administration is facing uncertainty over whether contractors will come forward to undertake the Mithi desilting work. This apprehension stems from a police probe into alleged irregularities in the desilting process last year, which has cast a shadow over the contracting system.
Historically, desilting of the Mithi river is conducted annually in three key stretches:
- From Filterpada, Powai, to Teacher's Colony Outfall in Kurla
- Teacher's Colony Outfall to the New BKC Connector Bridge
- From the New BKC Connector Bridge to Mahim Causeway, along with its tail channels and connected outfalls
Last year, the situation deteriorated when, of the three companies awarded a two-year contract for desilting the Mithi river, two failed to complete the work. These companies became embroiled in corruption cases, leading to the arrest of contractors and civic officials. Consequently, the BMC foreclosed the contract, blacklisted all three firms, and terminated their agreements, leaving the river-cleaning exercise in a state of limbo.
Recent Tender and Reduced Scope
In response to these challenges, the BMC floated a fresh tender over the past weekend for desilting 1.65 lakh metric tonnes of silt. This marks a steep reduction from the 2.67 lakh metric tonnes targeted last year. Additionally, the contract value has been nearly halved, dropping from Rs 48 crore to Rs 29.5 crore, reflecting the scaled-down approach and ongoing financial constraints.
Satam's intervention highlights the pressing need for a more reliable and cost-effective solution to ensure the Mithi river is properly desilted before the monsoon, mitigating flood risks and maintaining environmental health in Mumbai.
