Mumbai: Tired of garbage choking nullahs, civic body to cover open drains

The BMC, which covered the Pancholia and Asha Nagar nullahs in Kandivali to prevent people from tossing garbage into them, is now considering the same solution at some other nullahs. Mumbai's many nullahs, open during the monsoon, act as storm water drains. But with garbage clogging them up, the BMC decided to cover the nullahs with polycarbonate sheets as part of a pilot project that was completed in 2018.

The Nanepada nullah in Mulund was originally meant to benefit from the project, but the Asha Nagar nullah replaced it. In all, there are 110 metres of polycarbonate semi-circular sheets over the Pancholia and Asha Nagar nullahs, which have openings once every 10 metres. These openings allow the nullahs to be opened for cleaning.

"The project will prevent garbage from being tossed into the nullahs or clogging them. The BMC will make provisions for it," said an officer from the BMC.

But while the civic body isn't thinking beyond preventing clogging of the nullahs, private bodies have demanded the BMC treat this as a beautification project. Moreover, corporators and residents have also demanded covered nullahs at various spots in the city.

"There are 260 kms of major nullahs and 465 kms of minor ones. Roofs cannot be placed over nullahs which require a machine to pull out garbage from it," said an officer.

He added that there are also rivers in Dahisar, Poisar, Oshiwara and Mithi, which would require the same treatment. The environment department wouldn't allow any cover to be placed over the rivers.