Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
What I’m witnessing on the ground in Mumbai is not just the plight of a river — it’s the stark failure of an entire system. Even before the monsoon is yet to arrive, a sense of danger hangs heavy over the city. The reason? Not a single contractor has come forward to take up the cleaning of the Mithi river.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) floated tenders and even extended the deadline to March 24, but the response remains nil. Officials now say the civic body may take up the work on its own. But standing here, the question is obvious: can the BMC really handle a task of this scale alone?
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For years, this work has been outsourced to contractors. But, a recent scam has shaken the credibility of the entire process. Cases have been filed against both contractors and officials, and perhaps that explains why no one is willing to step in at this time.
As I stand next to the Mithi river, it feels less like a water body and more like a silent witness to years of neglect. This 18-kilometre stretch – from Kalina to Mahim Bay – is today choked with garbage, sludge and water hyacinth.
The Mithi river acts as a crucial natural drain for stormwater originating from Vihar and Powai lakes and discharges into the Arabian Sea at Mahim Creek.
When I reached Kurla, the sight was disturbing. The riverbanks had turned into dumping grounds. People were openly throwing household waste into the river. Crores are reportedly spent on cleaning this river every year, yet on the ground, there is little to show for it. We walked nearly 3-4 kilometres along the stretch, and at every turn, the story was the same.
Mumbai, the city of dreams, turns into a city of fear every monsoon. The rains haven’t even begun, but anxiety has already set in. And why wouldn’t it? Here, floodwater doesn’t just disrupt life – it enters homes, destroys livelihoods and sometimes even claims lives.
I also met people whose homes were demolished nearly 20 years ago to widen the river. They are still waiting for rehabilitation. Promises remain buried in files, while their reality hasn’t changed.
And now, even contractors seem unwilling to trust the system. That raises a larger question – if those who execute the work are backing out, what is the common citizen supposed to rely on?
The political blame game is in full swing. BJP leader Nitesh Singh claims corruption has been curbed, arguing that contractors are staying away because there’s no scope for manipulation any more. On the other hand, Congress leader Ashraf Azmi accuses the BMC of apathy, alleging the administration is more focused on money than public welfare.
But amid this noise, the biggest question remains: where does that leave Mumbai’s common man?
There’s also an uncomfortable truth. To some extent, we are part of the problem. During our ground reporting, I saw people dumping garbage into the river and even defecating in the open along its banks. If those living closest to the river don’t protect it, can we expect the system alone to fix it?
Every year, before the monsoon, people hope things will improve. And every year, that hope is washed away. Now that the BMC is considering handling the cleanup on its own, a bigger concern emerges – does it have the capacity, preparation and experience to manage such a massive task?
If not, is Mumbai once again headed towards flooding? Has the safety of this city become an experiment?
As I stood there, looking at the stagnant, polluted water, it almost felt like the river itself was asking a question, “I once flowed clear and alive. Will I ever return to what I was?”
For now, neither I – nor the system – has an answer.
– Ends
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
