BMC to set up garden near Mithi

Mumbai: While the Mithi river continues to be highly polluted and still raises a stink, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to set up a garden on its bank. As a part of its beautification project, the civic body has planned to beautify Mithi’s surroundings.

According to BMC officials, the civic body will develop a garden on the bank of Mithi river in Kurla (L ward) from Kranti Nagar to the crematorium.

The project of widening of Mithi river is in final stages and beautification process will start soon. The BMC has planned to develop gardens on the entire stretch of Mithi river.

The first phase will start from Kranti Nagar. The Mithi river emanates from the overflow of Vihar lake.

The beautification works include landscape, paver blocks road, stormwater drains, illumination, installation of seats and dustbins. To prevent people from dumping garbage into the river, the BMC has decided to install dustbins in the garden at regular intervals. The civic body has allotted the contract to M/s Yogesh Constructions at the cost of  `3 crore. A one-year maintenance period has also been included in the contract.

Civic activists have said that the river water is polluted due to the large amount of discharge of contaminated water from nearby industrial units into the riverbed. The sewage water from neighbouring slums is also being discharged directly into the river.

Opposition parties mocked BMC’s plans to set up a garden at Mithi river. “Who will come to the place when the entire river raises a stink?” said opposition leader Ravi Raja from Congress.

“The civic body has not been able to reduce Mithi’s pollution and they are now planning to develop a garden. The proposal is there to benefit a contractor and we will oppose it,” he said.

However, civic officials said the quality of Mithi’s water would be improved soon. “The BMC has decided to treat river water to improve its quality,” said a senior civic official. As a short-term measure, the flow from the source of Mithi river will be intercepted for up to 3 kms and diverted to the treatment plant at Powai.

Fixing A River

• The importance of Mithi river, which emanates from the overflow of Vihar lake, to the city came into limelight after the deluge in July 2005.
• A comprehensive plan to restore the river was undertaken with the formation of Mithi River Development and Protection Authority (MPDPA).
• The work involves 17.83 km Mithi’s rejuvenation by deepening and widening the river, and its beautification.
• Accordingly, the work was split between the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (6.40 km) and the BMC (11.43 km).
• It flows for a total of 15 km before it meets the Arabian Sea at Mahim Creek.

 Revamp Plan

The Mithi river beautification works include setting up a garden, landscape, paver blocks road, stormwater drains, illumination, installation of seats and dustbins. To prevent people from dumping garbage into the river, the BMC has decided to install dustbins in the garden at regular intervals. The civic body has allotted the contract to M/s Yogesh Constructions at the cost of Rs 3 crore.