The Mithi river in Mumbai has once again come into focus with opposition in Maharashtra legislature alleging that largescale corruption has occurred in cleansing the river and on developing its environs. The government has announced a high-level inquiry to probe the charges. This is one more chapter in the unenviable history of the Mithi river clean-up and development project.
The history goes back to 2005 when excessive rains in Mumbai flooded the river which submerged large areas in eastern and western suburbs, claiming several lives and resulting in massive damages. Since then, numerous announcements have been made and deadlines revised for the Mithi development project. The latest is plans to develop an urban forest in Marol industrial estate in Andheri (east).
The purpose of the urban forest project is to bring down ground temperature in that area and to harmlessly dispose the industrial dust as well as carbon footprint, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The reason for taking up this project is stated to be the construction of Metro Railway lines crisscrossing Mumbai metropolitan region. As the concentration of the Metro lines is highest in Andheri east and west, an increase in land surface temperature was recorded by the various agencies. While temperatures of land surface between 2005 and 2010 were in the range of 29 and 33 degrees Celsius, now they are recorded between 34 and 38 degrees Celsius. This observation pertains to the land parcels of Metro Line-1.
The forest will be developed on a 3-acre plot, adjacent to the Mithi river. The BMC had a reserved plot of 1.9 acres at Saat Bagh in Marol, which is on the northern side of the Metro Line-1 site. Adjacent to the plot, BMC has also taken another plot of 1.3 acres from Marol Industrial Estate for the project.
The urban forest will be created by planting many varieties of plants, including bamboo, fern, palm and large trees giving shade. Grass density will also be increased and flowering plants will be planted to attract butterflies. The forest ix expected to reduce the carbon footprint and surface temperature. In addition, the BMC is planning to build a wooden walkway that will make the available space along the Mithi accessible to the public.
Not impressed by the claims made by the BMC and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) about the project, the opposition pointed out that over Rs.1160 crore had been spent so far over the twin works but to no avail. Both are primarily responsible for the project for which some announcement or other is made every couple of years. The experience so far prompts one to conclude that the money has gone down the drain, literally. The sordid history of the Mithi project is one more proof of callousness of the authorities, no matter which political party is ruling the BMC and the state.
The Mithi River project was announced way back in 2005 when Mumbai went under water on 26 July, as unprecedented monsoon fury measured over 900 mm of rainfall within a few hours. Since then, the project has been limping ahead. It includes widening of the river, building security walls and service roads. It is still incomplete. In the civic budget 2022-23, works worth Rs. 4033 crore were pending. Despite this, Rs. 565 crore was allotted for the project. BMC Commissioner I S Chahal then claimed that 95 per cent of widening and deepening work and 80 per cent of retaining wall construction had been completed. According to him, a plan for development and pollution control of the Mithi had been underway, to be implemented in four phases. Once again, though the authorities have announced ambitious plans, it is felt that the sluggish progress so far leaves a wide scope for misgivings.
Phase-I works were to include construction of interceptors, laying of sewer lines, construction of service road and erecting 8 MLD capacity sewage treatment plant at a cost of Rs. 133 crore. Phase-II works were estimated to cost Rs.570 crore. Phase-III was to cover works from CST Road in Kurla to Mahim Causeway at an estimated cost of Rs. 2156 crore. Phase-IV work was a plan to construct a tunnel from Bapat nullah to Safed Pool nullah to Dharavi wastewater treatment facility for Rs 455 crore.
As if confident of completing various works, MMRDA had proposed a plan to develop a recreational area beside the river last year in the prestigious Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). A sprawling dining area, outdoor sports, other recreation activities and a helipad along the river were the highlights of the planning behind Dhirubhai Ambani International School in BKC. Its status is not clear at the moment.
Expectedly, the plan came under fire immediately. The main grouse was that MMRDA had totally ignored the dirty and stinking condition of the stagnant water of the river. Planning a relaxation belt by using the riverside models of Europe and other tourist cities would be meaningless unless the river was completely cleansed.
Earlier this year, as part of the ‘Mithi River Development and Pollution Control Project,’ a water quality improvement drive has taken off. Under this, a sewerage treatment plant has been set up near Powai Gardens to operate this project. This plant includes rainwater harvesting, sewerage treatment and removal of other waste materials from the water. The project aims to purify the water.
At present, the treated water is pumped back in Powai lake. A silver lining to the dark cloud, some varieties of marine life can be spotted again in Powai lake after several decades because of this drive. However, this water is not potable though it can be used for other purposes like gardening, flushing or car wash.
The flooding of Mumbai on 26 July 2005 was treated as an opportunity rather than a calamity by then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. But he was soon disillusioned. Deshmukh told the authorities, representing various nodal agencies — BMC, MMRDA, MHADA, Fire Brigade and Disaster Management — to complete all unfinished work immediately. An emergency meeting of such a magnitude was being held for the first time to avoid recurrence of 26/7, he said. Deshmukh had also announced that the Mithi banks would be developed and beautified on the lines of the Thames river development project in London. But this dream has been shattered. No one in government is able to state confidently when and how the project will be completed.
Image courtesy: Pexels
A Column By
Dilip Chaware – Senior Editor
A media professional for 43 years, with extensive experience of writing on
a variety of subjects; he is also a documentary producer and book author.
