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Rs 6,300 Crore Idle: Mithi River Chokes on Neglect
14 Jan
Summary
- Mithi river's water quality has severely worsened since 2005.
- Over Rs 6,300 crore allocated for mitigation remains unspent.
- Sewage contamination levels are alarmingly high, posing health risks.
Two decades after the 2005 deluge that claimed over 1,000 lives, Mumbai's Mithi river remains a symbol of urban vulnerability, its condition worsening due to persistent neglect. Despite substantial allocations, flood mitigation and pollution control projects worth over Rs 6,300 crore are stalled, with funds remaining unspent. The river's water quality has dramatically declined, characterized by heavy sewage contamination and pollution.
Analysis of water quality data reveals that the Mithi river's condition has fallen into the "Bad to Very Bad" category for extended periods. Faecal coliform levels have more than doubled, indicating severe sewage influx, far exceeding permissible limits. While annual desilting efforts have improved flood holding capacity, they do not address the root cause of pollution.
Major initiatives aimed at improving the river's quality and controlling pollution have seen significant delays and minimal execution. Untreated sewage continues to enter the river daily. Experts emphasize the need for effective wastewater treatment at the source to rejuvenate the Mithi, a critical environmental and health concern for Mumbai.
