The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) set a deadline of June 10 for the desilting and cleaning of the Mithi River, a key component in Mumbai’s flood management system. However, as of this date, numerous stretches of the river were still blocked by vegetation, floating waste, and accumulated silt. This situation has raised significant concerns about the city’s preparedness for the impending monsoon season. Inspections carried out by India Today revealed that the clean-up operations were far from complete, with visible obstructions to water flow and a lack of personnel or machinery on site.

The BMC had awarded the cleaning contract to Prashant Lad and Tulja Bhavani Constructions in April, with expectations of a timely completion. On the ground, however, Congress corporator Ashraf Azmi observed that labourers and equipment were absent from various critical areas, contradicting civic claims that approximately 80 per cent of the work had been accomplished.

Kurla Stretch Faces Severe Blockage

The first inspection took place near Kalpana Theatre on LBS Road in Kurla West, which is a significant outfall point for the Mithi River. Observations at this site highlighted a troubling scenario, with dense aquatic vegetation and debris obstructing the river channel. Plastics, household waste, and construction materials were strewn between the vegetation and along the riverbanks. No active cleaning efforts or visible BMC personnel were noted during the visit.

Azmi described the situation as basic maintenance that should have already been addressed. He emphasized that the presence of floating vegetation obstructs water flow and questioned the BMC’s claims of progress, noting the absence of any signs of machinery having been used recently. The Kurla region is particularly susceptible to flooding, and residents recall the severe impact of the 2005 floods, which submerged large areas.

During the inspection, Azmi also contacted a contractor’s representative, who cited issues like labour shortages and logistical challenges while assuring that workers would be dispatched to the site. However, the current state of work raised serious doubts about these reassurances.

Bandra Kurla Complex Inspection Reveals Incomplete Work

The second inspection occurred near the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) entrance to the Mithi River. Here, evidence of unfinished work was apparent, with portions of the retaining wall showing signs of erosion and structural weakness. Some silt had been removed but was left piled alongside the riverbank, while other areas remained densely covered with vegetation. The fluctuating width of the river channel raised concerns about its ability to manage water flow effectively during heavy rains.

Azmi expressed concern regarding the implications of a narrowed river channel compounded by the presence of vegetation and debris, stating that this combination poses a significant risk of flooding during intense rainfall events. Additionally, several old heaps of silt from previous clean-up attempts continued to occupy the riverbanks, suggesting that the process of removal had not been executed effectively.

Concerns About Oversight and Flood Preparedness

BMC officials estimated that this year’s cleaning project aimed to remove approximately 1.32 lakh metric tonnes of silt from the Mithi River, with a budget of around Rs 30 crore. Despite claims of substantial progress, the state of the inspected areas appeared to contradict these assertions, raising questions about the project’s execution and monitoring.

Delays in the procurement process meant that contractors were approved only in April, following adjustments to tender conditions. This history of issues surrounding the Mithi River’s cleaning contracts has intensified scrutiny regarding civic management and oversight.

The Mithi River, spanning around 22 km, serves as Mumbai’s primary stormwater drainage channel and is central to the city’s flood mitigation strategy. Although desilting and cleaning operations have been routine since the catastrophic floods of 2005, the lack of visible progress following the June 10 deadline has resulted in increasing concerns about the city’s flood readiness as the rainy season approaches.

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