BMC to Appoint 2-Year Contractor for Nullah Desilting to Avoid Delays

Journalist

BMC to Appoint 2-Year Contractor for Nullah Desilting to Avoid Delays

Mumbai, India: To speed up pre-monsoon desilting, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to appoint a contractor for two years instead of inviting tenders annually. The civic body will spend ₹540 crore on cleaning nullahs and the Mithi River.

Every year, the tender process delays the desilting work. To counter this, the BMC has opted for a two-year contract, despite previous criticism over high costs. According to officials, around three lakh metric tonnes of silt are removed from nullahs annually. In 2023, ₹248 crore was spent on desilting, but this year’s budget has increased significantly.

The BMC plans to start desilting in mid-March, earlier than last year’s late March start. As per policy, 75% of the silt is removed before monsoon, with 15% cleared during the rainy season. The major nullahs in Mumbai span 247.84 km, while minor nullahs cover 241.36 km.

Residents are demanding greater transparency, urging BMC to publish contractor details and the amount of silt removed at each site. “The civic body should display the quantity of silt removed to ensure transparency,” said Riyaz Mulla, a Kurla resident.

For the Mithi River, the BMC has appointed a new contractor with a ₹96 crore tender after the previous contract expired. The 22.25 km-long river plays a crucial role in Mumbai’s drainage system.