Incomplete drainage work to delay BMC's green nullah plan

In yet another instance of poor planning by the BMC, the green patches along nullahs — which it had proposed — is unlikely to begin this year.

While presenting the budget for the ongoing fiscal, municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte had proposed to convert areas along major drains into green stretches.

As per the plan, the areas along nullahs were to be developed for public use like cycling, jogging and walking. The tracks were to be created along drains and only those vehicles used for nullah-cleaning were to be permitted movement from here. The area was to be beautified by planting trees.

The patches admeasuring 380 km in length though won’t be continuous green stretches because of slums. “The work is unlikely to take off this year as drainage works under BRIMSTOWAD are incomplete. Besides, the planning and design department is still busy preparing tenders,” said a senior civic official.

The official said it was still unclear when the tenders would be out. “We are expecting them to be out this year but the actual work may not start this fiscal,” he said.

There were no separate funds made available for developing the green zones. The works were to be carried using part of budget allotted for BRIMSTOWAD project.

The project, envisaged over two decades ago, continues at a slow pace. Out of the total 11.09km of drains to be covered, the BMC claims to have completed 71.96%.