Mumbai: You can take a walk around Mithi in four years

Work on the other four parts of the Mithi clean-up project are underway, says the BMC. File pic

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has invited a tender for water quality improvement, beautification and flood relief mitigation of the Mithi River between Kurla and Mahim causeway. The first time such a tender was invited was in October 2022, which was later scrapped. If the BMC succeeds in pulling off this project, citizens can enjoy an evening walk along the riverbank in four years.

BMC had planned to improve the water quality of Mithi River along with the beautification of the riverbank and flood mitigation in four stages. Under the third stage, BMC will divert the sewage network - which is currently discharging into the river - to the municipal sewage network. It also planned to develop an 8.5-km long promenade along the river with a cycle track. In this stage, BMC will develop and beautify the riverfront from Kurla CST to Mahim Creek.

In October 2022, the tender invited was worth Rs 2,100 crore. "During the pre-bid meeting, various queries arose from companies interested in participating in the process. After some technical changes in the work, we invited a fresh tender," the official added. "As this is a design-build-operate project, we have not declared its estimated cost. Companies will submit the cost and design of the project," the civic official added.

There will be 27 floodgates from the domestic airport area to Mahim Causeway to help reduce flooding mainly in Sion, Chunabhatti and LBS Road between Kurla and Sion," an official said. The work mainly includes the construction of a sewer line, a retaining wall and service roads. Sewer pumping stations will be installed, and sewage will be diverted to the municipal sewage network,' the official added.

The work will be completed in 36 months excluding the monsoon, after the work order is issued. While the last date for submission of tender is February 22, 2024. The work on the other four parts is underway. This is the final part of the Mithi river cleaning project," the official added. Meanwhile, in a civic budget speech, civic chief I S Chahal had mentioned the stage 3 project work on Mithi worth Rs 3,067 crore with 10 years of operation and maintenance. A civic official claims this cost includes the various taxes which will be applicable in the contract.