BMC to start Phase-II cleaning work of Mithi River next month

Mumbai, Feb 25 (UNI) The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will start the Phase-II work of widening, deepening and desilting of the Mithi River next month.

The corporation will also undertake construction of retaining walls and roads alongside the riverbanks at the cost of Rs 218 crore. ''It is expected to complete by May 2008,'' official sources said here today.

The Phase-II has been divided in two major segments. The 11.8 km-long first segment stretches from Vihar Lake to the CST Road in Kurla. Work on this segment will be undertaken by the BMC, while the 6.2 km-long stretch from the CST Road to Mahim will be undertaken by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

The desilting, building of retaining walls, cleaning, beautification and other works along the banks of the river would be monitored by the Mithi River Protection and Development Authority (MRPDA).

Its width will be increased as per individual requirements of various locations, ranging from 15 metres to 60 metres.

The work under Phase-II, estimated at Rs 218 crore, has been entrusted to five contractors. All five contractors will work simultaneously at different locations in order to finish the work in time.

Works worth Rs 32 crore in Phase-I have already been completed.

It consisted of the initial widening, deepening and desilting of the river.

UNI