21-point action plan to transform Mithi

Researchers at the ORF carried out a year-long study of the 18-km stretch of the Mithi River and have suggested action that can help rejuvenate it. Gautam Kirtane from the ORF,who headed the study,said dealing with issues such as stopping point source entry of pollutants in the river,de-sludging the river completely,protecting the mangrove along its banks and rehabilitation of slums along the banks of the river can revive the river from a virtual nullah to its former days of glory.

ORF criticised the gabion wall recently built by the MMRDA near Bandra-Kurla Complex that has obstructed the natural flow of water to the mangroves,thus leading to their death. It also pointed out at the continuous difference between BMC and MMRDA over demarcation of their jurisdiction,which inevitably leads to delays in carrying out activities such as de-silting.

The group of researchers organised a trip for journalists and activists to visit the portion of the river near the BKC,on boats. The report was released on a patch of mangroves by former Union minister for environment and forest Suresh Prabhu and noted water activist Rajendra Singh.

“Just saying that the river is free from the fear of flooding is not enough. If the government is spending an amount as huge as Rs 1,600 crore on reviving the river,it should also focus on cleaning the river water and redeveloping it aesthetically into a waterfront and taking optimum advantage of having a river flow through the heart of the city,” said Sudheendra Kulkarni,chairman of ORF. The action plan will now be forwarded to various government agencies and be put up on public forum for discussion.

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