Removal of slit from Mithi not proper, alleges Dr Somaiya

Mumbai, Jul 5 (UNI) Taking strong objection to claims of Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) over the removal of the silt from Mithi river, former BJP MP Dr Kirit Somaiya said the MMRDA removed most of the silt from the Nallas and not from actual Mithi river.

Talking to reporters, Dr Somaiya said the figure floated by MMRDA of removing 2.69 lac cu.meter silt is misleading. This includes Naik Nala, Vakola Nala and such other nalas.

The actual work of Mithi is less than 5 per cent of 23 lac cu.meter work. It was MMRDA who announced and issued work order to remove and transport 7.5 lac cu. meter of Mithi silt before the beginning of monsoon, he said.

He said Mithi river's source of water, i.e. 3 lakes -- Vihar, Powai and Tulsi -- are likely to overflow within two weeks.

''One more heavy rain and whole of the Mithi zone between Sakinaka and Airport shall be flooded,'' Mr Somaiya said adding that the Mithi Authority and the government should take steps to protect areas like Kranti Nagar, Samhita Industrial Estate, Airline Colony, Jharimari, Safed Pool, Kalpana Talkies Junction.

There will be more casualties in the present situation. Already five people lost their lives in this area during the current spell of monsoon, he claimed.

BJP leader demanded criminal action against all the officials who, in spite of warning, have failed to do the Mithi work. Even the normal routine of desilting of Mithi has also not been done by MMRDA. Once again, MMRDA authorities have started window dressing activities, he alleged.

Dr Kirit Somaiya has questioned MMRDA as to where the silt had gone. BMC has informed Dr Somaiya that they have received less than 20,000 cu.meter silt of Mithi-MMRDA. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) have warned Mithi contractors not to dump Mithi silt illegally there. Only 1,500 cu.meter at Kopar Khairne and 1,000 cu.meter at Thane Balkumb were dumped.

It may be recalled that Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has asked the government to have special investigation of Mithi Silt scam of last year. BMC has removed 1,68,200 cu.meter and transported 1,33,800 cu.m. silt this time, he added.

UNI