The BMC and MMRDA are both set to miss the May 31 deadline to complete the city’s pre-monsoon preparedness work.
The BMC and MMRDA are both set to miss the May 31 deadline to complete the city’s pre-monsoon preparedness work. Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has taken this delay seriously and is ready to crack the whip. Deshmukh talked to DNA.
Excerpts:
It is now official that the pre-monsoon work is not going to be over by May 31. The MMRDA and the Mithi River Development and Protection Authority have informed the Bombay High Court that they will not be able to excavate silt from the Mithi river before May 31. What will the state do now?
It is true. I have told all the agencies either to complete work before the deadline or stop after bringing it to a convenient safety level. A convenient safety level would mean incomplete work should not affect commuting people or cause flooding during the monsoon.
But who will take a final call? And when?
The state, of course. Next week, we are convening a meeting of all agencies concerned including the BMC, MMRDA, MRDPA, Central Railway, Western Railway, Airport Authority of India (AAI), Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Limited, Disaster Management Authority and the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. We will take stock. All works will be minutely reviewed and a final decision will be taken about completion or stopping them at a convenient safety level.
But what about officials in important positions who failed to deliver and breached the deadline?
They will be punished. No one will be spared, howsoever senior or important the person is.
What role do you see for yourself before monsoon?
This year, too, I will personally supervise work needed to avoid a 26/7. I will personally visit the Mithi areas along with officials.
Will this monsoon be bad or good for Mumbaikars?
I assure people that they will witness better overall readiness in the state and city as compared to last year. They need not worry.
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