Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis this week presented in the Council a status report on the city’s preparedness for the monsoon.
In a written response to the allegations that drains and dumping grounds were not readied, Mr. Fadnavis said efforts were made by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to ensure that minimum inconvenience is caused to people.
According to the data presented by the Chief Minister during the question hour, 18 of the 29 major drains were cleaned up, accounting for 60% of the work in the first phase. The phase was completed before May 31.
The questions on monsoon preparedness were raised by leader of the opposition Dhananjay Munde, and legislators Sanjay Dutt and Hemant Takle. They also alleged that orders for rain-related works were not issued until the end of April to contractors.
The Chief Minister said, “This year, the corporation had completed 60% of the work before the monsoon; 20% is being completed during the rains, and the remaining will be over post-monsoon. Another 10 drains were cleared by non-profit bodies.”
Mr. Fadnavis clarified that the work on cleaning up the Mithi stream towards the Island City and western suburbs was completed on May 31 and June 13. “Separately, the small drains with a depth of five feet were cleaned up late since no contractor came forward to participate in the tendering. The work was completed partially with the help of non-profit bodies.”
The Opposition also demanded to know if development work around Deonar and Gorai dumping grounds were halted due to a court order. Mr. Fadnavis said steps are being taken to accommodate more waste in the grounds. The Bombay High Court had in 2016 asked the corporation and the government to restrict construction of malls, restaurants, and other development work around the Mulund and Deonar grounds.
“We have set up a committee to monitor any dumping of construction debris in the grounds. We have also started 35 new segregation centres for treating waste and constructed a peripheral wall of 2.9 kilometres. The grounds have been covered with CCTV,” said the CM.