Tackling rains is first priority, says new BMC chief

Mumbai, May 4 (UNI) New Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner Dr J M Pathak, who took over the reins from Mr Johny Joseph, has said tackling the rains will be the most important task before him.

Dr Pathak, an IAS officer of the 1978 batch, has served as the principal secretary (urban development) in the Maharashtra Government. He has also served as commissioner of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation from 1995-96.

Speaking to reporters after taking over as BMC commissioner, he said the problems faced by Mumbai are peculiar to the metropolis, and not witnessed elsewhere in the world.

Mumbai has a population density of 27,000 per square kilometer, which is the highest in the world, Dr Pathak said. He added that the slums will be dealt with as per the government's decisions.

Dr Pathak said water supply and the sewerage lines are major problems faced by the city during rains. About the heavy rains that lashed tha city two years back, Dr Pathak said the BMC is working on the Brimstowad project While noting that the poor depend on the BMC for their educational and medical requirements, the new civic chief said improving the BMC-run schools and hospitals are also his priority.

UNI