Whistleblower calls for special investigation team to be formed to investigate alleged large-scale corruption; Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has appointed the chief engineer of the vigilance department to lead an investigation into the allegations and submit a report within 15 days
A mini truck meant to cart away silt allegedly being used to ferry debris. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Amid complaints about the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) lack of monsoon preparedness, citizens have claimed that vehicles meant for cleaning drains in areas such as Vikhroli are being used to transport construction debris falsely labelled as silt from construction sites. Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has appointed the chief engineer of the vigilance department to lead an investigation into the allegations and submit a report within 15 days.
A flooded road in Kannamwar Nagar 2 and near Vikhroli court on May 26
“The vigilance officer has been directed to submit a report within 15 days, following which appropriate action against the culprits will be determined,” a BMC official said. According to residents, numerous vehicles are loading construction materials from sites in Vikhroli under the pretence of silt removal. These materials are then transported to designated dumping grounds, with falsified log sheets used to legitimise the operation.
Social activists and truck owners have raised concerns about this, stressing the urgent need for stricter oversight and accountability within the municipal waste management system. The operation is allegedly being orchestrated by a contractor, who is said to oversee desilting work in 16 to 17 municipal wards.
Log sheets, which should only be signed by officials after the cleaning is completed, are allegedly being pre-signed and handed over in bulk, enabling fraudulent activity. Ganesh Ghadge, a truck owner, told mid-day that he possesses videos and photos showing certain municipal officials and contractors misusing the pre-monsoon drain-cleaning process to embezzle funds. He also accused the contractor of being involved in similar irregularities related to both small and large drains.
“To expose the malpractices, I offered my trucks for five to six days to pick up waste from nullahs. The contractor is expected to transport waste from 2500 trucks in a single monsoon season. Before the rainy season, 75 per cent of nullahs are supposed to be cleaned, but only 65 trucks have actually carried nullah waste. The rest were filled only with construction debris,” he said.
Ganesh Ghadge, social activist
Ghadge alleged that multiple vehicles were loaded with material from various construction sites in Vikhroli under the guise of transporting sludge. Large quantities of black-coloured material — locally referred to as kala maal — were accumulating in drains near these sites, and contractors faced difficulties in removing it due to a shortage of manpower.
According to Ghadge, after loading construction debris disguised as sludge in Vikhroli, trucks proceed to the M East ward to collect a log sheet. Once obtained, the truck is weighed, and the material is officially unloaded at a designated spot in M East. However, Ghadge alleged that the same material is being transported and dumped illegally at other locations as well. He claims that this type of operation is widespread, though Vikhroli remains a hotspot due to the sheer volume of kala maal found there.
The protocol
As per standard protocol, an officer must issue a log sheet only after confirming that a truck is properly loaded. But Ghadge alleged that officers are pre-signing and stamping these sheets. Once the tempos are loaded, the pre-approved log sheets are simply passed on to the driver or their supervisor. The contractor has allegedly been seen with a log sheet book already signed by municipal officers. To enhance transparency and efficiency, the BMC had set up a war room at its headquarters, using AI-based software to monitor silt removal activities citywide.
‘Will approach authorities’
Ghadge told mid-day that he would approach the Mumbai police commissioner, municipal commissioner, Economic Offences Wing and Enforcement Directorate. “This is a big scam. People should not suffer due to the sheer negligence of civic authorities. Look at what happened on May 26. It was just the start of the monsoon, and the city was already waterlogged, despite the BMC’s tall claims. I demand action against corrupt officials. We also want a special investigation team to be formed to investigate this matter,” he said.
Ghadge said that action should be taken against officials who are not performing their duties properly. He further questioned why the Maharashtra government has not taken any action in this matter. “We demand strict and appropriate action against the corrupt officials responsible for this,” he added.
BMC action:
Following the allegations, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has appointed the Chief Engineer of the Vigilance Department to lead an investigation. The officer has been directed to submit a transparent and objective report within 15 days.
“The vigilance officer has been directed to submit a report within 15 days, following which appropriate action against the culprits will be determined,” a BMC official said.
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