Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister for Mumbai Eknath Shinde took review of the storm water desilting and also made site inspections on Monday. Shinde directed the BMC administration to complete all ongoing major and minor dains desilting in Mumbai city and suburbs by June 7.
He stated that action will be taken against officers who fail to complete the silt removal work on time or show negligence in the process. He also instructed that silt removed from drains must be disposed of at the dumping ground within 48 hours.
Shinde's visit comes amid the consistent pre-monsoon showers Mumbai is experiencing and the forecast of early arrival of monsoon. The BMC is still behind its deadline to complete the desilting work. The deputy CM visited the Usha Nagar complex in Bhandup, Nehru Nagar drain in Wadala and also Dharavi T junction.
Speaking with the media Shinde said that the monsoon has arrived earlier than usual this year, but the administration has been instructed to complete all the drain cleaning on time. So far, 85% of major drains and 65% of minor drains have been cleaned. With 15 days remaining, we are confident that the work will be completed on schedule.
"The storm water desilting is being carried out in coordination between the BMC and the Railway Administration, and Artificial Intelligence and robotic technology is being used for this purpose. Waste under railway culverts is being removed with the help of robots. The BMC has identified flood-prone low-lying areas and has installed 422 pump sets at such locations. Additionally, two holding tanks and 10 mini pumping stations have been made operational," Shinde said.
