AAI not cooperating in drain cleaning process: Raul

Mumbai, May 31 (UNI) Mumbai Mayor Shubha Raul today accused the the Airport Authority of India of not cooperating with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, MMRDA, MHADA and other agencies in the cleaning of drains in the city in order to prevent water logging during monsoons.

Mrs Raul, while speaking to the media here today, said that two joint meetings between the MMRDA, BMC and the MHADA had been conducted but no AAI representative had attended the meetings.

''AAI is in possession of some parts of the city and their participation is required. But, due to some reason, there has been no response from the AAI,'' Mrs Raul said.

Mrs Raul said civic contractors have been directed to clean up all the drains even if they fall under the jurisdiction of other government agencies. ''Even if drains fall in the jurisdiction of MHADA or MMRDA, the BMC is blamed for the problem. Hence, we are cleaning all the drains,'' Mrs Raul said.

The Mayor said the major drains and ''nullahs'' in the metropolis have been cleaned but the cleaning of smaller drains are yet to be completed. The work would be completed by June 7, she said.

UNI JN MAZ AG1938