Silt stays dumped on roads even as monsoon approaches

Pre-monsoon showers have already hit the city, but the question remains: Is the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) equipped to deal with it? While the BMC began the prep-work for the precedented downpour in April, 50 per cent nullas remain to be desilted.

Of the desilting already done, at many locations, the silt removed are still dumped on the road. BMC has been justifying the inaction saying it does not have contractors to transport the silt. Out of the areas where silt remains dumped in the open, is Tilak Nagar in Chembur. The silt dumped every 10-15 metres on all the lanes of the colony, are not only occupying a lot of the parking space but has spiked the spread of diseases.

Residents took the issue up to M-West ward officials and BJP corporator Susham Sawant. Advocate Nitin Nikam, President, Tilak Nagar Welfare Association, said, "When we met the corporator last week, we were told that the contractors who remove and transport the silt are different. We are worried that rains will worsen the condition."

Harshad Kale, ward official, M-West ward, confessed that it will take some time to transport the silt. He said, "The ward has only one contractor and thus the transportation of silt is being done phase-wise, starting with main roads."

Sawant said, "I held meetings with the ward officer. They will start removing the silt from the colony within the next three to four days.

JOB HALF-DONE

• Over 500 roads are still dug up adding to the woes of the motorists, and 50 per cent nullas remain to be desilted.
   
• Of the desilting already done, at many locations, the silt removed are still dumped on the road.