Mumbai: BMC initiates measures to enhance river infrastructure

A BMC worker cleaning the Mithi River. File Pic/Ashish Raje

It's nearly 19 years since the July 2005 deluge after which the Mithi River first became a focal point. However, to date, the BMC has not completed the work of widening and deepening the river. According to the budget speech of I S Chahal, 95 per cent of the widening and deepening work has been completed to date, while 90 per cent of the construction of the retaining wall along the Mithi River has been finished. The work on an 18 km long retaining wall along with the river to prevent encroachment is currently underway.

The BMC had initiated the project for the rejuvenation of the Mithi River, which includes the laying of sewer lines, construction of service roads, and building an 8 MLD capacity Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) from Filterpada to WSP Compound, Powai. The project's cost is Rs 133 crore, including 15 years of operation and maintenance. The construction of retaining walls, service roads, interceptor, and sewer line laying work is 50 per cent completed from Powai to CST Road Kurla, with the project's cost being Rs 570 crore.

BMC has prepared a draft tender worth Rs 3,067.55 crore for the construction of a retaining wall and service road, sewer line laying, construction of interceptors with gate pumps, flood gates with pumping beautification arrangement, which includes operation and maintenance for ten years, and other works from CST Road, Kurla to Mahim Causeway. The aim is to mitigate flood issues in rivers. The construction of the tunnel for the STP is 60 per cent complete, with a cost of Rs 455 crore. Rejuvenation of other rivers has also been undertaten.