The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed all the departments to complete desilting of major and minor drains across the city well before the onset of monsoon, ensuring smooth drainage and minimal inconvenience to citizens during heavy rains.
In a review meeting held this morning at the BMC headquarters in the Standing Committee hall, Mayor Ritu Tawde issued several directives to ensure effective execution, transparency, and the timely completion of the pre-monsoon drain cleaning drive. She stressed the need for proper utilisation of manpower and resources, strong coordination between ward offices, and central agencies, and regular updates to local representatives and corporators at every stage of the work.
Mumbai Mayor’s directives
Display of information boards at work sites showing drain length and width, quantity of silt to be removed, duration of work, contractor`s name, and contact details of the engineer concerned.
Proper disposal of silt removed from drains within 48 hours, with necessary spraying and measures to prevent issues.
Mandatory photography and videography of all stages — from silt removal to disposal at dumping sites — to ensure transparency.
Installation of Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) on silt transport vehicles, covering them with tarpaulin, accurate measurement of silt, and timely removal of floating debris along with silt.
Cleaning of internal drains in addition to major and minor ones.
Immediate mobilisation of additional machinery to speed up desilting.
Construction of protective walls where necessary near river/drains to safeguard residents.
Involving corporators and local representatives, sharing stage-wise progress, and resolving their issues promptly.
The Mumbai Mayor emphasised that the entire pre-monsoon desilting target must be achieved by May 31, with full seriousness and supervision to prevent any flooding or waterlogging during the rainy season.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, Leader of the House Ganesh Khanekar, Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde, Education Committee Chairperson Rajeshri Shirwadkar, Improvements Committee Chairperson Sandhya Doshi, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr Vipin Sharma, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Avinash Dhakne, all zonal additional/deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and officers from the storm water drains department.
Bangar briefed on the ongoing works by the storm water drains and roads and traffic departments. Dr Sharma directed all the officials to strictly implement the mayor`s instructions, maintain dialogue with corporators, and resolve their complaints promptly.
The BMC said it aims to make Mumbai`s drainage system fully prepared for the monsoon, prioritising citizen safety and efficient monsoon preparedness.
