Mumbai News: Tonnes Of Drain Silt Washed Back After Rain; BMC Blamed For Poor Supervision

Hundreds of tonnes of silt removed from storm water drains by BMC contractors went back into the drains following heavy rains on Wednesday evening. With the regular monsoon not far away, there is a strong possibility of flooding.

City BJP vice-president Ravi Raja, who is a veteran ex-corporator, blamed the civic body for the situation. Talking to FPJ on Wednesday, he said, “As per rule, the muck removed from the drains and nullahs is supposed to be carted away after 48 hours.” However, in most places, huge muck piles have not been removed by the contractors because there is no BMC supervision, he pointed out. For several days, heaps of muck are not cleared causing great inconvenience to citizens, Raja added.

He further said, “In any case, the BMC had received an alert about heavy rains from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The civic administration should have gotten the contractors to take away the muck immediately.”

Many citizens in the past have suggested that the silt removed from the drains should be cleared immediately. However, the silt is often wet and hence it is left to dry for two days so that the weight of water does not get added to transport costs.

Activist Anand Shirali said, “A week ago, the IMD had alerted the BMC and other agencies about the possibility of thunder showers.” What prevented the civic officials from ordering the immediate removal of piles of silt, which remained outside the drains for over 48 hours, asked Shirali.

Now, the question is whether the contractors will demand double payment for removing the silt, which has flowed back into the drains after the Wednesday rains.