Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has directed the civic administration to speed up drain cleaning work across the city without compromising on quality as the monsoon season approaches.
During an inspection tour of western suburbs on May 14, 2026, Ritu Tawde reviewed ongoing desilting work in rivers and drains as well as road development projects being carried out by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
She instructed officials to complete all drain cleaning work by May 31, 2026.
An official statement said that the mayor visited several locations including Orlem Church Road and Marve Road in Malad West, Ramchandra nullah near D-Mart, the Oshiwara River near Mega Mall in Goregaon West, Irla nullah and Sant Kabir Marg in Juhu, the SNDT nullah near Gazdharbandh Pumping Station in Khar, and the Vakola River and Harne Guruji Marg in Bandra East.
She was accompanied by local elected representatives and senior BMC officials, including assistant commissioners, engineers and drainage department officers.
Focus on quality, timely completion
Tawde said that while the pace of work must increase due to the approaching monsoon, the quality of desilting and road work should not suffer.
She expressed concern over the remaining sludge and garbage in some drains, particularly at Malwani nullah in Malad West and the SNDT nullah in Khar. Officials were instructed to deploy additional efforts and complete the work within the set deadline.
The mayor also warned that she would conduct surprise inspections at both locations to review progress.
During her visit to Irla nullah in Juhu, the mayor interacted with local residents and sanitation workers to understand ground-level challenges.
Residents informed her that part of the protective wall along the nullah had collapsed. Since many people use the area for cycling and exercise in the mornings, she directed officials to immediately begin repair work to ensure public safety.
She also spoke with sanitation workers and enquired about their daily operations and working conditions.
Review of flood control systems
At the Gazdharbandh Pumping Station in Khar, Tawde inspected the computerised systems, control room and trash boom mechanism used for separating waste from water channels.
She also reviewed the functioning of flood control gates used during high tide conditions and sought technical details from engineers about flood prevention measures.
The mayor also inspected cement concrete road projects in Malad West, Juhu and Bandra East.
She instructed officials to protect roadside trees during construction and ensure that exposed roots are covered with soil. Adequate watering arrangements for trees were also discussed.
Tawde further directed engineers to ensure that stormwater drains, manhole covers and protective grilles are properly maintained so that rainwater does not accumulate on roads during the monsoon.
She also stressed that local residents should face minimal inconvenience during road concreting work.
As part of the visit, Tawde inspected the Maharana Pratap Sports Ground in Malad West. Former corporator Jaya Tiwana briefed her on the development of the facility.
The mayor praised the sports infrastructure created for children and said similar playgrounds should be developed on open plots across Mumbai.
She also suggested introducing urban farming initiatives in unused open spaces near the ground.
