The protective net is to be installed along the Vakola River near the Dnyaneshwar Nagar slum area to prevent garbage and floating waste from entering the waterway.
Residents have reportedly been dumping large quantities of waste into the Vakola River, resulting in substantial accumulation of garbage and raising concerns over the condition of the waterway. Several complaints have been received regarding the presence of floating waste in the river.
Following these complaints, the Parjanya Jalvahini visited the site on July 23, 2025, and recommended installing a net along the protective wall near Dnyaneshwar Nagar to restrict the flow of garbage into the river.
The proposed net will be approximately 10 feet high and will be fixed along the wall of the drain. The installation is intended to intercept solid waste and other floating material before it enters the river, thereby helping improve the cleanliness of the waterway.
The civic administration has previously implemented a similar solution at Main Avenue Nala and South Avenue Nala in the H/West ward. Officials have observed a significant reduction in garbage entering these drains following the installation of such nets.
Based on those results, the civic body has decided to adopt the same approach along the Vakola River near Dnyaneshwar Nagar.
The project is estimated to cost around Rs 2.5 crore. Kalpesh Corporation has been appointed to execute the net-installation work after securing the contract by quoting 25 per cent below the Municipal Corporation’s estimated cost.
The initiative is aimed at tackling the persistent problem of solid waste entering the Vakola River and reducing the accumulation of floating garbage. The move is also expected to support the civic body’s broader efforts to improve the condition of Mumbai’s drains and waterways.
The installation of the net will serve as a physical barrier against waste dumping and is expected to make it easier for authorities to collect and remove garbage before it spreads through the river system.
Source: Prahaar
