Mira Road: The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) claims to have completed nearly 80 per cent of its annual drain-cleaning operations. However, monsoon showers and technical challenges, especially in cleaning concretized and covered drains, have significantly delayed the remaining work.

According to MBMC data, there are 208 primary and secondary drains across the city, including 68 major drains that are critical for water flow during the monsoon. While the municipal body initiated desilting and cleaning work well in advance, heavy monsoon rains have hindered operations.

Cleaning is carried out through private contractors using a range of heavy equipment such as JCBs, earth excavators, boats, dumpers, etc. For major drains, it is essential that they remain open for effective cleaning. However, in areas where drains have been concretized and covered with concrete slabs or columns, accessing them becomes nearly impossible without the help of costly hydra machines.

"Due to the concretization of major drains, removing and replacing the slabs requires the use of hydra cranes, which significantly increases the cost of operations and slows down progress," said a senior MBMC official.

Dr Sachin Bangar, acting additional commissioner, MBMC, confirmed the progress, stating, “Nearly 80 per cent of the drain cleaning work has been completed. The commissioner himself has conducted site inspections, and a detailed report outlining the challenges is being submitted to him.”

Despite the reported progress, inspection of several sites has revealed large amounts of waste and silt still choking the drains, especially in areas where the drains are either concretized or encroached upon. Encroachments along creeks and drains remain untouched, raising questions about administrative and political will.

Illegal dumping of garbage into open drains remains a persistent issue, particularly in slum areas. Although drains are cleaned regularly, they are often choked again within days due to constant dumping. “When will the MBMC act against those who continue to dump garbage illegally?” questioned a local resident.

Adding to the concerns, a recent incident in Bhayandar West has sparked outrage among citizens. During ongoing drain-cleaning near the STP plant by Garden Court, Narayana School, and the road leading to the crematorium opposite Manvi Paradise building, contract workers reportedly damaged several concrete manhole covers using JCBs. In places where the covers couldn’t be removed, workers left without cleaning the drains.

“This shows sheer negligence on the part of the contractor. Even light showers cause knee-deep water on roads here. Broken or missing manhole covers pose serious threats to pedestrians and residents,” said Congress spokesperson Prakash Nagane.

Nagane has written to the municipal commissioner, demanding immediate replacement of the damaged covers and instructions to hold the concerned contractor accountable.