Mumbai’s civic body has intensified its desilting operations along the Mithi River, aiming to complete the work before the onset of the monsoon. With a strict deadline of May 31 in place, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun work simultaneously at five key locations under all three project packages, while drain-cleaning activities are also underway across the city and suburban areas.
The desilting project, estimated at Rs 29.5 crore—nearly 40% lower than last year’s cost—targets the removal of approximately 1.65 lakh metric tonnes of silt. Civic officials have been instructed to expedite progress, particularly in flood-prone zones where waterlogging has historically disrupted daily life during heavy rains.
Following a recent site inspection, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar directed teams to fast-track desilting efforts across both major and minor drains. He has also called for a structured, date-wise execution plan to ensure that multiple stretches are tackled simultaneously, enabling the timely completion of the project.
To improve accountability and reduce discrepancies, the BMC is deploying an artificial intelligence-based monitoring system. This platform will verify the authenticity of photos and videos submitted by contractors, eliminating manual data entries related to silt disposal. Officials expect the system’s accuracy to improve significantly this year, reaching an efficiency level of 80–90%, compared to 60–70% earlier.
Stretching over 18 kilometres, the Mithi River passes through densely populated and commercially vital areas such as Kurla, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Dharavi, and Mahim before emptying into the Arabian Sea. Given its route through low-lying regions, timely desilting remains crucial to reducing the risk of flooding and ensuring smoother water flow during the monsoon season.
Source: Swarajya
