Ahead of the monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has intensified nullah-cleaning operations across Mumbai.
However, during a recent desilting drive in the Sakinaka area, civic workers were shocked to find large quantities of auto-rickshaw scrap dumped inside a nullah, raising serious concerns over illegal waste disposal and the effectiveness of monsoon preparedness efforts.
According to civic officials, the scrap material included damaged auto-rickshaw parts and other bulky waste that had accumulated inside the drain, obstructing the natural flow of rainwater. The discovery came during pre-monsoon cleaning work being carried out to prevent flooding and waterlogging during the rainy season.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing problem of garbage dumping into drains and nullahs in Mumbai. Officials said floating waste and construction debris continue to choke drainage channels despite repeated desilting operations every year.
Civic authorities have warned that such dumping can severely affect rainwater discharge capacity and increase the risk of flooding in low-lying areas during heavy rainfall.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide had recently directed officials to strengthen anti-dumping measures around nullahs, including the installation of high protective fences near areas where residents frequently throw garbage into drains. The civic body is also aiming to complete all major desilting work before the peak monsoon period.
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