The BMC’s decision to open tenders worth Rs 1,500 crore for setting up small sewerage treatment plants or STPs has drawn criticism from its opposition. The STPs have been proposed at Dahisar-Poisar and Oshiwara rivers or nullahs, and will be crucial in clearing out rainwater during monsoons while also reducing the chances of flooding.
The BMC has mentioned that tenders will be closed on May 26. It’s worth noting, however, that widening and other works pertaining to these STPs have been pending for a few years now.
Opposition leader from Congress at the BMC, Ravi Raja said - “The plan was pending since long, then what was the hurry to invite big-ticket tenders during the pandemic. Instead, BMC should focus on dealing with rising cases of Covid-19 and poor conditions at hospitals and invite pending big tenders once the situation normalizes.”
Read - Maharashtra Government Allows Pre-Monsoon-Related Works In Mumbai, Pune
As for the total costs, it is said that Rs 750 crore has been set aside for the Poisar river, while Rs 500 crore has been assigned to the Oshiwara river. Around Rs 180 crore has been allocated for the STP at Dahisar. These costs are excluding taxes, the authorities added.
Civic works across the city, especially with regard to safeguards against the upcoming monsoons, have begun already. Additionally, the IMD has predicted that Mumbai monsoons could be delayed by a day this year.
Meanwhile, coronavirus cases and casualties continue to rise in Mumbai, with the city reporting 26 deaths on Wednesday. More than 6,600 have tested positive for the virus in Mumbai so far, taking Maharashtra’s tally towards 10,000. Officials have predicted a spike in cases by May, leading the state to take the tough call to potentially continue the lockdown until mid-May.
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