In spite of Big Announcements, tall claims, issuing tenders in November 2006, the Mithi Authority, Maharashtra Govt. is able to complete hardly 5% of Mithi River Phase II work, exposed BJP leader, Dr. Kirit Somaiya, ex Member of Parliament.  It is a pity that against the Work Orders-Contracts to remove and transport 26,09,000 cubic meters of widening and deepening work of Mithi, only 2,06,700 cubic meters of silt is removed till now.  Of this, only 1,04,250 cubic meters is transported/shifted to dumping grounds.

MMRDA’s work is Eyewash

MMRDA’s Mithi work is nothing but eyewash.  Against the Work Orders-Contracts of 23,30,000 cubic meters, MMRDA has removed, deepened only 1,05,000 cubic meters.  MMRDA has transported only 19,750 cubic meters of silt.  This is nothing but JOKE by MMRDA on Mumbaikars, charged Dr. Somaiya.

MMRDA searching for Dumping Place

The shocking truth is MMRDA has not yet fixed, finalized any Dumping Place to dump Mithi silt and debris.  It seems MMRDA has not learnt lesson from Phase I.  CAG has passed strictures and asked for detailed investigation for Mithi Phase I work of MMRDA.  In Phase I also, MMRDA did not fix any dumping ground, which led to Mithi Scam of MMRDA.

In April 2007, MMRDA tried to dump Mithi silt at Kopar Khairne, which was objected to by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation.  Subsequently, MMRDA Commissioner asked New BMC Commissioner to allow use of Kanjur or Deonar Dumping Yards.  And now they are trying to dump the silt at Balkumb, Thane, which would also not last long.

Demolition of Illegal Structures

The story of removing the illegal encroachment is not different.  Against the tall claims and announcement of removing 5,500 structures, not a single structure is touched till today, announced Dr. Somaiya.

BJP is very much worried about the irresponsible behaviour of the State Government, which shall cause water logging and flooding in this monsoon.

It was Dr. Kirit Somaiya’s Petition and High Court’s directives which resulted into removal, widening and deepening of 12,96,440 cubic meters of work in 2005-06 during Phase I.