Encroachment holding up Mithi River Rejuvenation Project? BMC says bypass it

The second phase of the Mithi River Rejuvenation Project is facing a hurdle due to encroachments. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Vigilance Department has expressed concern about the Mithi River Rejuvenation Project which is facing hurdles because of encroachment. After mid-day's report highlighting the issue on April 2, it issued a bizarre diktat saying if a project is stalled by an encroachment, it should progress by leaving out that area, so the work continues. The department further wants the work that remains due to this, to be taken up after issuing another e-tender. The vigilance department has ordered the administration to be ready with an encroachment removal plan regarding projects before preparing the estimate for them.

On April 3 after mid-day's report, the Vigilance Department published a circular regarding the issue of encroachment. It expressed concern about projects and announced a protocol for them in it. "If it is not possible to achieve the removal of the encroachments within the period of the proposed work, the estimate shall be prepared by deducting the encroached portion and the related particulars shall be mentioned in the draft tender," (SIC) the vigilance department said in the circular.

"Remaining work shall be taken up subsequently by inviting another e-tender. This will minimise the extra funds and proper utilisation of allotted funds within the stipulated contract period," (SIC) it stated further. Joint Commissioner of Vigilance Ajit Kumbhar did not respond to calls.

"Under the Mithi River Rejuvenation Project, constructing a sewer network along the riverbank, will help prevent sewer discharge into the river. The second phase of the project is facing a hurdle due to encroachment. This phase covers an area from Powai Filter pada to Kurla CST bridge," said a BMC officer.

Work on the first phase, which began in 2019, is now nearing completion. The rejuvenation project is falling behind due to the encroachments on the river bank.

The encroachments exist because the BMC is unable to find alternative land to rehabilitate the PAPs - Project Affected People.

"The BMC should follow their guidelines strictly. Encroachments delay projects and increase their cost. From Day One the Mithi river project has suffered due to encroachment. BMC always faces problems of rehabilitation due to lack of space and this affects the projects," said civic activist Anil Galgali.