BMC to start desilting work from January

Already facing flak over its nullah cleaning works, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to start desilting works from the beginning of the year. The BMC used to start desilting works a couple of months before the beginning of the monsoon. These works would then continue during and a few months after the monsoon. However, the BMC has now decided to carry out the work all through the year.

“This will ensure that nullahs remain clean throughout the year... The majority of the work will be carried out in the pre-monsoon works,” said Laxman Vhatkar, director, engineering (services and projects).

According to officials, the first phase will be over by March. During this phase, 20 percent of the estimated annual quantity of silt would be removed. The second phase will be of pre-monsoon works that will start in April and end by May. In this phase, 60 per cent silt will be removed. The third phase will be during the monsoon from June to September, in which 20 per cent silt will be removed. The fourth phase will be post-monsoon, which will be from October to March next year. During this time, 20 per cent of estimated annual quantity will be removed.