MUMBAI: Ahead of the monsoon season, inspections of nullah desilting works by ruling political parties continued across Mumbai on Friday, this time with BJP functionaries, MLAs, corporators and civic officials visiting several parts of the city to review the progress of ongoing drain-cleaning operations being undertaken by the BMC.A party delegation led by Mumbai BJP president and MLA Ameet Satam inspected desilting works in Bandra, Juhu, Andheri (West), Versova and Goregaon in the western suburbs. The team was accompanied by Mumbai suburban joint guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, BMC House leader Ganesh Khankar, additional municipal commissioner Avinash Dhakne, stormwater drain department officials, deputy municipal commissioners, ward officers and local corporators.Following the inspection, Satam said that around 40% to 50% of the city’s nullah-cleaning work had been completed so far and instructed civic officials to ensure that the remaining desilting work is completed by May 31.“This inspection drive was undertaken with the specific aim of ensuring that Mumbaikars face minimal inconvenience during the upcoming monsoon season and that 100% nullah-cleaning work is completed by May 31,” Satam said. During the inspection, BJP netas and civic officials reviewed the pace of desilting, removal of sludge and waste from major drains, and preparedness of the stormwater drainage network before the onset of heavy rains.Satam also said instructions had been issued to install trash booms at all locations where rivers and drains discharge into the sea in an effort to prevent floating garbage and waste from entering the Arabian Sea during the monsoon.
