21 April,2026 04:08 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/Thane Municipal Corporation
With the monsoon season approaching, the Thane Municipal Corporation has stepped up its pre-monsoon preparedness, intensifying drain cleaning operations across the city. On Tuesday, Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar and Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao conducted inspections at multiple locations to assess the progress and quality of the work.
The review covered key areas including Ghodbunder Road, Kapurbawdi, Castle Mill, and Vartak Nagar. During the visit, officials were instructed to ensure that silt removed from drains is not left along roadsides but is transported to designated sites after drying. The Mayor also directed that damaged protective walls along drains be repaired promptly and emphasised that all desilting work should be completed before May 31.
Civic officials said the work, which has already begun in Mumbra, is now progressing across other parts of the city. The administration aims to clean a total of 186 kilometres of drains before the onset of heavy rains.
To accelerate operations, the civic body has appointed seven contractors across different wards. Commissioner Rao said the administration is focusing on the scientific disposal of silt and maintaining strict oversight of contractors. Daily reviews are being conducted, and logistical support is being extended in cases where contractors face shortages of manpower or equipment.
Authorities are also deploying robotic machines in wider drains to minimise manual intervention, while narrow stretches continue to be cleaned manually. Workers involved in the operation are being provided with protective gear such as gloves, masks and gumboots. Contractors have been asked to maintain first-aid kits at all work sites.
During the inspection, officials flagged concerns about ageing infrastructure. Some culverts and a bridge over a drain near Castle Mill were found to be in a deteriorated condition. The Commissioner has directed that a structural audit be conducted by Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute to assess safety risks and recommend repairs.
Given that key roads such as Ghodbunder Road fall under multiple authorities, the civic administration is coordinating with agencies including the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Mumbai Metro, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and National Highways Authority of India. A joint inspection is planned ahead of the monsoon to address bottlenecks and avoid overlapping responsibilities.
Deputy Mayor Krishna Patil said the early start to desilting work in April could help mitigate flooding risks during peak rains. Meanwhile, corporator Nanda Patil suggested that drain cleaning be carried out twice annually to ensure long-term efficiency.
Civic officials also appealed to residents to avoid dumping waste into drains, noting that such practices contribute significantly to blockages and urban flooding during the monsoon.
