Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister and Mumbai City Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to complete all drain-cleaning operations across Mumbai city and suburbs by June 7, 2025. Highlighting that 85% of major drains and 65% of minor drains have already been cleaned, Shinde emphasized the importance of finishing the remaining work promptly to prepare for the early arrival of monsoon rains.
Shinde warned that officials responsible for delays or negligence in desilting operations will face strict action. He also instructed that the silt removed from drains must be disposed of within 48 hours at designated dumping grounds to prevent blockages and flooding.
Today, Shinde personally inspected drain-cleaning progress at key sites including Usha Nagar and Usha Nagar Complex in Bhandup, Nehru Nagar drain in Wadala, and T Junction in Dharavi. The inspection was attended by senior officials and local representatives, including former MLA Sada Sarvankar and former MP Rahul Shewale.
Shinde praised the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotic technology deployed in coordination with railway authorities for cleaning hard-to-access areas such as railway culverts. The BMC has also activated 422 high-capacity pumping units at flood-prone locations, along with two storage tanks and ten mini pumping stations to efficiently manage waterlogging during heavy rains.
During the visit, Shinde also inspected the landslide-prone Surya Nagar area in Vikhroli, ordering the installation of protective nets and the relocation of vulnerable residents to safer locations.
Concluding his tour at Kasarwadi in Dadar, home to municipal sanitation workers, Shinde reviewed local infrastructure projects, including the Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Davakhana clinic and newly established study centers aimed at community welfare.
With just over two weeks left, the Deputy CM expressed confidence that the BMC would complete the drain-cleaning tasks on schedule, ensuring Mumbai is ready to face the upcoming monsoon season.
