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BMC chief seeks stormwater drain work review

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The Times of India        05.12.2017  

BMC chief seeks stormwater drain work review

BMC headquarters.
MUMBAI: Suspecting yet another scam in the civic stormwater drain (SWD) department, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta has ordered a review of its around 100 works currently being carried out across the city.

At last week's monthly review meeting, Mehta was shocked to find that stormwater drain works were proposed on the road opposite Bombay High Court, on P J Ramchandani Marg near The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and near Eros cinema though these areas do not get waterlogged. He also pointed out that the surrounding areas have never been flooded even on heavy rain days. "There is no reason to take up stormwater drain works in areas where there has been no flooding or even in their peripheral areas," said Mehta. "Therefore, I have asked for the works to be reviewed immediately." The BMC chief has sought the review report within a week.

It is pertinent to note that the cost of digging and re-laying roads for stormwater drains is much higher compared to regular road work.

SP leader in the BMC Rais Shaikh said he was not surprised as in his ward itself, SWD work has been proposed near Claire Road in Byculla though there is no need for the same. "The department, in a rush to use the proposed funds, proposes work even in areas where not required, thereby disrupting traffic movement," claimed Shaikh, adding that 'such unnecessary road works only inconvenience citizens'.