Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, May 8: Mumbai’s Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar on Thursday raised serious concerns about the slow and unreliable progress of drain desilting work in the city ahead of the monsoon season, following a detailed inspection of key drains in the western suburbs.
Shelar highlighted that in the past 35 days, only 10 per cent of the desilting work had been completed in certain areas, while progress in others hovered between 20 and 30 per cent. Expressing dissatisfaction, he called the overall situation “deeply unsatisfactory.”
Shelar’s inspection covered several critical sites across Mumbai’s western suburbs, including Gazdar Bandh in Santacruz West, SNDT nullah, Irla nullah, Mogra nullah, and the nullah in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. Local BJP leaders, former corporators, and officials were present to assess the progress alongside the minister.
During the visit to Millennium Nullah, Shelar pointed out discrepancies in the reported use of technology for the desilting process. Officials claimed that video documentation was being done but failed to provide footage showing the actual removal of silt, filled dumpers, or the unloading process. This raised doubts about the authenticity of the claimed video records. Additionally, the mobile app they used for updates was either outdated or non-functional, adding to concerns over the transparency and reliability of the ongoing work.
“This situation is deeply troubling. At Gazdar Bandh, less than 10 per cent of the work has been completed in over 35 days, which is unacceptable,” Shelar said, stressing that the remaining work must be completed within a month. He added that while some areas reported 20-30 per cent progress, others claimed 50 per cent, but the overall work lacked credibility.
The minister further stated, “We cannot rely on mere criticism. We will insist that the Commissioner personally visit the sites to oversee the work. Contractors must be held accountable, and there should be no shielding. We need clarity on several issues – how are the nullahs being measured for desilting? What standards are being followed? If technology and AI are being used, what kind of machinery and technology is involved?”
Shelar confirmed that these concerns would be raised with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner to ensure timely and effective desilting before the monsoon season.