As the monsoon clouds approach Mumbai ahead of schedule, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has issued a strict warning to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), demanding the completion of all drain-cleaning works by June 7. During an intensive inspection on Thursday, Eknath Shinde made it clear that failure to meet the deadline or display negligence would invite disciplinary action against responsible civic officials. His remarks come as Mumbai once again braces for its annual battle against waterlogging and civic disruptions.
Deadline-Driven Monsoon Preparations
Eknath Shinde’s inspection drive spanned several vulnerable locations across the city, including Ushanagar and Usha Complex in Bhandup, Nehru Nagar nullah in Wadala, and the Dharavi T-junction in Dadar. He was accompanied by a team of senior officials, including Principal Secretary Navin Sona, Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar, former MP Rahul Shewale, MLA Tukaram Kate, and ex-MLA Sada Sarvankar. Addressing the media, Eknath Shinde acknowledged the early onset of the monsoon but firmly stated that it should not delay completion of desilting works.
According to Eknath Shinde, 85 percent of work on major nullahs and 65 percent on minor ones has been completed. He expressed confidence that the remaining work would be finished within 15 days. Additionally, he directed civic authorities to remove all silt within 48 hours of extraction to ensure smooth drainage.
Tech Intervention and High-Risk Zones
In a bid to ensure flood preparedness, BMC has also deployed AI-powered robots to clean culverts beneath railway tracks—a frequent chokepoint during heavy rains. Coordination between the BMC and railway authorities was emphasized as crucial for this year’s success. The civic body has installed 422 water pumps in flood-prone zones and added two holding ponds and ten mini pumping stations to manage water accumulation.
Recognizing the city’s long-standing infrastructure issues, Eknath Shinde pointed out how encroached drains, poor planning, and incomplete desilting have worsened Mumbai’s vulnerability. He also visited landslide-prone areas like Suryanagar in Vikhroli, instructing the BMC to install protective nets and relocate at-risk families. At Kasarbawdi in Dadar, he reviewed civic amenities, including the Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana, study centers, and local upgrades.
Reinforcing his no-nonsense stance, Eknath Shinde underlined that officials must treat monsoon preparations as a top priority, asserting, “People’s safety is non-negotiable.”
