Advertisement
What really powers the cloud? Behind every Google search, A...
A lot of what defines a home isn’t visible at handover. I...
Private equity has played a significant role in shaping Indi...
Luxury real estate is one of the most talked-about segments ...
Airports play a much bigger role than just enabling travel -...
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has completed only 62% of the Mithi river desilting work despite the approaching monsoon preparedness deadline in Mumbai. With just days remaining before the onset of heavy rainfall, concerns are rising over flooding risks in low-lying and river-connected areas across the city. Civic officials cited operational and logistical hurdles for the delay. The Mithi river remains central to Mumbai’s stormwater drainage network, making timely desilting critical for reducing waterlogging and maintaining flow capacity during the monsoon season.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has completed 62% of the desilting work on the Mithi river with only five days remaining before Mumbai’s monsoon preparedness deadline, raising concerns over flood management and stormwater drainage capacity ahead of the rainy season. Advertisement
According to civic data, the ongoing desilting exercise along the Mithi river remains behind schedule despite the approaching monsoon. The river functions as one of Mumbai’s primary stormwater drainage channels and plays a critical role in carrying excess rainwater through densely populated and low-lying parts of the city.
The desilting process involves removal of accumulated sludge, debris and waste deposits from the riverbed to improve water-carrying capacity during heavy rainfall. Annual desilting operations are considered a key component of Mumbai’s monsoon preparedness strategy, particularly following repeated instances of urban flooding linked to drainage congestion and overflowing waterways.
Officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation stated that progress has been affected by operational and logistical constraints associated with debris removal, equipment movement and accessibility challenges across certain stretches of the river. Authorities indicated that work is continuing across multiple locations to accelerate completion before the onset of heavy rainfall.
The Mithi river passes through several critical urban zones including residential, industrial and commercial areas in Mumbai. Flooding along the river basin has historically affected local infrastructure, transport connectivity and residential neighbourhoods during intense monsoon events.
The civic body undertakes desilting and drainage maintenance activities annually before the monsoon season to improve flow capacity across rivers, nullahs and stormwater networks. Apart from the Mithi river, similar desilting work is carried out across drains and waterways throughout Mumbai as part of broader flood mitigation measures.
Urban infrastructure experts have repeatedly highlighted the importance of timely desilting and maintenance of drainage infrastructure in Mumbai due to the city’s high rainfall intensity, coastal geography and extensive urbanisation. Delays in pre-monsoon infrastructure works often increase the risk of waterlogging and traffic disruptions during periods of heavy rainfall.
Officials stated that monitoring of desilting progress is continuing, with contractors and civic teams working to increase the pace of operations over the remaining days before the deadline. The administration is also reviewing progress across stormwater pumping stations and drainage infrastructure linked to monsoon preparedness efforts.
The Mithi river gained significant attention following the severe flooding witnessed in Mumbai during previous monsoon seasons, leading to multiple flood-control and river restoration initiatives over the years. However, concerns regarding encroachments, waste dumping and maintenance delays continue to affect the river’s carrying capacity and long-term flood management role.
Civic authorities are expected to continue desilting operations and drainage inspections through the pre-monsoon period as Mumbai prepares for the arrival of seasonal rainfall in the coming weeks.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
