The main mandate of the consultant will be to improve water quality and beautify the surrounding area
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally taken a step ahead in restoring three rivers of Mumbai. By the end of this month, they are appointing a Project Management Consultancy (PMC) for rejuvenating Dahisar, Poisar, and Oshiwara river. The main mandate of the consultant will be to improve water quality and beautify the surrounding area. The rivers — which are major storm water drains of Mumbai — have been encroached by slums at many locations and the water is extremely polluted due to sewage discharge from these slums.
It was only after river activists raised a hue and cry about the issue that the BMC, for the first time, earmarked rejuvenation of rivers as a project. In the 2018-19 budget, the Municipal Commissioner proposed Rs 25 lakh for appointing the PMC. "The main job of the consultant will be to improve the water quality by phytoremedation (plants in ground water) and beautification of the surrounding area wherever possible. Three companies have given their presentations, and a consultant will most likely be appointed this month itself," said V Khandkar, Chief Engineer, Storm Water Drains Department, BMC.
Gopal Jhaveri, founder of River March movement, said, "Excessive discharge of sewage and garbage in the river has killed the microbes. The plants in ground water, which have the natural capacity to destroy contaminants have died completely. Thus, the BMC should concentrate on ground water recharging and bringing back indigenous plants."
"The rejuvenation of rivers project is being planned for the past seven-eight months. We have begun restoring Mithi river. To take this work ahead, we have now included three other rivers also," Khandkar said. The PMC will take two more months to submit their draft project report, after which tenders will be floated to appoint contractors for the project.
CM’s wife to participate in River March
The River March — a movement by several activists in the city to create awareness about rivers — have organised their fourth River March on March 4, on the banks of Dahisar river. The group, which has successfully gathered upto 1,700 volunteers in the past four years, have arranged a march seeking rejuvenation of the rivers by striving to free them from encroachments and save the remaining mangroves. Founder of River March, Gopal Jhaveri, said, "Why can't BMC clean the rivers everyday, just the way they clean the roads? Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' wife, Mrs Amruta Fadnavis, is also participating in the river march this time and she will sing the Mumbai River Anthem to create awareness on the issue."
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