Desilting of Mithi complete: MMRDA chief

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has claimed that it has completed the desilting of the Mithi river, removing 1.49 lakh cubic metres of silt from the river.

MMRDA commissioner Rahul Asthana on Wednesday said they had cleaned a 6-km stretch of the river. “The rock blasting at Mahim causeway will be completed by year-end and a retaining wall will be built on the banks of the river,” said Asthana.

Contractors were asked to install barricades and post securitymen at the metro and monorail sites. High-capacity pumps will be used to divert storm water drains which are blocked by lift shafts and escalators at around four metro stations.

The MMRDA has also kept labour teams at various points on the metro and monorail corridors to undertake remedial works in case of waterlogging.