Mumbai: As the city braces for the upcoming monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has accelerated pre-monsoon desilting operations across major drains and rivers. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), Abhijit Bangar, conducted on-site inspections on April 10 to assess progress and ensure better flood preparedness.
Bangar visited critical stormwater drains in the eastern suburbs, including the Somaiya Nalla in Ghatkopar, Mahul Creek drains in Kurla and Chembur, and the Rawli, Nehru Nagar, and Dadar-Dharavi drains. He also reviewed desilting work in the Mithi River near the Bandra-Kurla Complex.
During the inspections, he emphasized that mere silt removal is not enough—drains must be cleaned with a focus on improving water flow and minimizing flood risks. He instructed engineers to remain physically present at sites instead of conducting desk reviews and directed the installation of mesh fencing along drains to prevent waste dumping.
Several infrastructure improvements are planned, including replacing undersized drains near Jolly Gymkhana and Meghraj Junction with wider box drains. In Kurla, desilting using robotic equipment is being expedited, and new pumping systems are proposed to tackle waterlogging.
Bangar also highlighted the need for repeat cleaning in flood-prone areas such as Dharavi and Wadala, where waste from residential and commercial units regularly clogs drains. He insisted on a drain-wise, day-wise schedule and better coordination between departments.
Regarding the Mithi River, he directed micro-level planning for the desilting of its 17-km stretch and set a target of May 31 for completion. CCTV monitoring, proper silt measurement, and strict documentation were also mandated to ensure transparency.
Senior officials including Deputy Commissioner Shashank Bhore and Chief Engineer Shridhar Chaudhary accompanied Bangar during the inspections.
With the monsoon approaching fast, the BMC aims to complete all desilting work in time to prevent urban flooding and ensure smoother water discharge across the city.
