The Mumbai civic body had set a target to extract a total of 9,68,008 metric tonnes of silt before the onset of monsoon this year. Approximately 7,96,765 metric tonnes of silt have been removed till from Mumbai’s rivers and stormwater drains till Wednesday morning
Desilting work at Mithi River. File pic
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday said that 82.31 per cent of its targeted pre-monsoon silt removal has been completed. The Mumbai civic body had set a target to extract a total of 9,68,008 metric tonnes of silt before the onset of monsoon this year. Approximately 7,96,765 metric tonnes of silt have been removed till from Mumbai’s rivers and stormwater drains till Wednesday morning.
This also includes the Mithi River. BMC has set a target of clearing 2,14,315 metric tonnes from Mithi River, of which it has achieved 1,32,545 metric tonnes or 61.85 per cent. In a press release on Wednesday, the civic body said the desilting of Mithi River has been delayed owing to unforeseen challenges but it is confident of completing the work using additional resources.
The civic body has integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the desilting work to enhance transparency and efficiency. The use of AI surveillance has led to fines exceeding Rs 3 crore being levied on contractors for non-compliance, according to BMC officials. The desilting operations will continue during and after the monsoon season.
Every year, prior to the arrival of monsoon, BMC's Stormwater Drainage Department undertakes desilting of major drains and rivers, while ward-level offices handle the desilting of smaller drains. The removal of silt helps ensure quick drainage of rainwater during heavy showers. The annual desilting target is determined based on studies of sediment accumulation and historical rainfall data. Typically, 80 per cent of the work is completed before the rains, followed by 10 per cent of work during monsoon and the remaining 10 per cent after the season.
This year, desilting work began in March, and Mumbai experienced an early onset of monsoon, with record-breaking rainfall for the month of May. The early rains did impact the desilting pace, but major drains have now been largely cleared by the first week of June.
To ensure accountability and quality control, BMC has made it mandatory for contractors to submit 30-second video clips along with photographs for all desilting work. In the case of minor drains, CCTV footage before and after desilting is required. All footage is analysed using AI systems, which aids in maintaining transparency and monitoring the work effectively, the civic body claimed.
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