Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 10: In a bid to enhance the safety of residents in hilly regions of Mumbai, Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan informed the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that a fresh survey of landslide-prone areas in the city will be carried out. This decision comes in light of previous assessments conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
Responding to a query by MLA Sunit Raut during the Question Hour, Minister Mahajan revealed that a GSI survey conducted in 2017 had identified 249 vulnerable locations, of which 74 were deemed dangerous and 46 extremely dangerous. Alarmingly, 40 of these highly vulnerable sites are situated in Mumbai’s suburban areas.
To mitigate the risk, the minister stated that preventive measures such as geo-netting and construction of protective walls had been carried out in landslide-prone zones based on recommendations by IIT Powai. One such initiative includes works in Suryanagar, Vikhroli, where 47 projects worth Rs 11.63 crore were sanctioned — with 45 already completed, and two currently in progress.
He added that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has informed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to promptly undertake the geo-netting works and funds have been accordingly disbursed.
Further elaborating, Mahajan stated that during the fiscal years 2022–23 and 2023–24, 177 safety projects were approved in Ghatkopar and Bhandup. Out of these, 113 works have been completed, 38 are ongoing, while 26 remain in the tendering phase. Additional funds will be allocated for construction of more protective structures in these hazardous areas, he assured.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, addressing concerns in the state council, assured that the Agriculture Department's infrastructure will be bolstered to ensure farmers have access to genuine seeds, fertilisers, and other crucial inputs.
He said legal amendments would be made to empower the Agriculture Department with inspection rights, addressing the concerns regarding the reduced authority of Zilla Parishad’s agriculture units.
Minister of State Dr Pankaj Bhoyar, replying to a query on illegal seed sales, clarified that while genetically modified seeds have been licensed for sale, HTBT (Herbicide-Tolerant Bt) cotton seeds remain unlicensed.
With the sowing season in full swing, the Agriculture Commissioner issued directives on March 7, 2025, to seize stored HTBT seeds. In compliance, several unauthorised stocks were confiscated and legal action has been initiated against the seed manufacturers involved, said Bhoyar.
The state government’s proactive steps aim to ensure both urban safety amid monsoon threats and agricultural integrity in rural belts — reinforcing its dual commitment to citizens and farmers alike.