Amidst the bustling election fervor in Mumbai, a poignant narrative of neglect and unfulfilled promises emerges along the banks of the Mithi River, painting a stark picture of the city’s enduring challenges in water management and urban development.
As the dust settles from a recent dust storm and ensuing rainfall, residents along the Mithi’s brackish shores find themselves grappling with both relief from scorching days and the distressing aftermath of inundation in their homes – a poignant reminder of the unmet assurances amidst the electoral cacophony.
For those residing in Kranti Nagar and Sandesh Nagar in Kurla, the annual onslaught of monsoon rains evokes haunting memories of the catastrophic 2005 deluge, where lives were lost and livelihoods upended. Nearly two decades later, little has changed for these communities, as labyrinthine lanes continue to be engulfed by murky floodwaters, laden with debris and decay. The Mithi River, snaking its way from Sanjay Gandhi National Park to Mahim Creek before meeting the Arabian Sea, remains choked with plastic, waste, and sewage, perpetuating the cycle of urban flooding.
Despite substantial investments – approximately Rs 2,000 crore over 19 years – in the Mithi River rejuvenation project, spearheaded by the municipal corporation, tangible improvements have remained elusive. Claims of completed works related to widening, deepening, and fortification of riverbanks clash with ground realities, prompting governmental scrutiny and inquiries into project efficacy. A 2011 study by Gautam Kirtane of the Observer Research Foundation underscores the systemic challenges, revealing widespread encroachments and urbanization within the river’s catchment area, exacerbating flood risks and diminishing natural absorptive capacities.
As Mumbai gears up for the upcoming polls, it’s noteworthy how the discourse surrounding Mithi’s restoration has been conspicuously absent from campaign narratives on both sides. Amidst the political spectacle, the plight of Mithi River stands as a poignant reminder of the pressing need for holistic urban planning, sustainable development, and accountable governance in India’s bustling metropolis.
Neelam Pandey has spent over three decades in the Sandesh Nagar settlement. She recalls escaping to the safety of a nearby school with her children during the 2005 floods. “Unfortunately, not much has changed since then. While the flooding may not be as severe or prolonged, the chaos remains,” she says. Rukhsana Khan, a resident and social worker in Sandesh Nagar, says, often, when there is heavy rain fall, families have to gather their essentials and seek shelter in autorickshaws or at the local municipal school, which is on higher ground. “Once the rains hit, all the trash you see floating on the river overflows and enters our home,” says Khan.
