With the imminent arrival of the monsoon season in Mumbai, Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and State-appointed administrator, Bhushan Gagrani, undertook his inaugural pre-monsoon preparedness survey on Tuesday, signalling a proactive stance towards fortifying the city’s infrastructure against potential rain-related challenges.
Assuming office on March 20, Gagrani wasted no time in assessing the civic body’s readiness to mitigate flooding risks and ensure seamless urban operations during the upcoming monsoon deluge. Focusing on low-lying areas in eastern suburbs such as Chembur, Ghatkopar, Bhandup, and Nahur, Gagrani scrutinised ongoing desilting efforts aimed at unclogging drains, canals, and rivers to facilitate unimpeded water flow. Desilting, a crucial aspect of pre-monsoon preparedness, involves the removal of accumulated silt, muck, and debris from water bodies to prevent blockages and minimise the risk of waterlogging. As per BMC officials, concerted efforts have resulted in the removal of 54.57 metric tonnes (MT) of silt from the Mithi River, with a grand target of extracting 13.1 crore MT of sludge from drains, canals, and rivers citywide. Emphasising the urgency of completing desilting operations by May 31, Gagrani stressed the imperative of expediting infrastructure enhancements to ensure unhindered water passage and forestall potential flooding incidents. Notably, the deployment of high-speed dewatering pumps at over 200 strategic locations underscores BMC’s commitment to augmenting rainwater drainage capacity and enhancing flood resilience.
In tandem with infrastructure upgrades, BMC has enlisted the collaboration of multiple planning agencies, including MMRDA, PWD, and Railways, to expedite pre-monsoon preparedness efforts across jurisdictional boundaries. The proactive engagement of stakeholders reflects BMC’s holistic approach to mitigating flood risks and safeguarding public infrastructure ahead of the monsoon onslaught. Furthermore, BMC’s strategic appointment of 31 agencies, tasked with year-round desilting operations at a cost of Rs 249 crore, underscores its unwavering commitment to maintaining optimal drainage infrastructure and preserving public safety. By delineating a comprehensive roadmap for silt removal, BMC aims to achieve significant progress before the onset of monsoon, positioning Mumbai for enhanced resilience and sustainable urban development in the face of climatic uncertainties.
