Monsoon resets Mithi project deadline

The Collector’s Office is responsible for determining whether residents being impacted by public infrastructure projects are eligible for resettlement by the government. “We expect to receive eligibility details of all families in a month,” Gajbhiye said.

Most pending work relates to constructing a retaining wall along the river to increase its carrying capacity and protect it from encroachments. The MMRDA plans to construct a 9.3-kilometre long retaining wall,but has so far constructed only 7 kilometre. “Work is stuck because of encroachment issues. It should start by October or November,” Gajbhiye said.

Encroachments at Parigh Khade,Maharashtra Nagar,Valmiki Nagar and Ambedkar Nagar need to be removed and eligible tenants be relocated. Also,there are about six structures in front of the MTNL Building,43 scrap dealers and 18 godowns that still need to be demolished.

The issue of land acquisition at Taximen Colony for the retaining wall and a service road is also yet to be solved. Construction of the retaining wall alongside the river bank towards Bandra-Kurla Complex,including a service road,is 80 per cent complete,while the rest will be undertaken after monsoon,according to the recent internal report on the progress of the Mithi River project.

The MMRDA had earlier proposed to construct a retaining wall of about 11 kilometre,however,it is awaiting a ‘no objection certificate’ from the Forest Department for a certain stretch involving mangroves.

“The problem can be solved by taking the retaining wall around the mangroves. In fact,it will protect the river and the environment around it from encroachments,” Gajbhiye said,adding the matter has been long pending and it is unlikely that the Forest Department will give its nod anytime soon. “We are going ahead with the rest of the project,” he added.

The widening and deepening of the river is almost complete barring two stretches. The work on the Mahim Causeway-Dharavi Bridge stretch is proposed to be executed on a risk and cost basis by calling fresh tenders. The widening and deepening of river Mahim Causeway onwards is also yet to begin. The order has been issued and the work is expected to start post monsoon.

Overall,83 per cent of the work for the rejuvenation of the river,including the first phase,has been completed,the MMRDA report says.

The MMRDA completed the first phase of the project between April and June 2006 at an expenditure of Rs 42.62 crore. The second phase took off in March 2007 and the total project expenditure is pegged at RS 417.51 crore,of which the MMRDA has spent Rs 290.72 crore so far.

A stretch of about 6 kilometre between CST Bridge and Mahim Causeway comes under the MMRDA’s jurisdiction,while the rest comes under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The total length of the river is 17.83 kilometre.

The MMRDA is also yet to completely desilt the river and is waiting for the monsoon to be over. “After we complete the project in March 2012,we will hand over the annual maintenance work to the BMC,and thereafter they will take care of the desilting,” Gajbhiye said.