Even as the state government is running behind schedule to complete the development work on the 18-km long Mithi river, it has now approved an ambitious plan to increase the catchment height of Powai lake so that additionally collected rainwater could be infused to rejuvenate the polluted river, which merges into the sea near Mahim creek.
The Mithi River Development Authority (MRDA), on July 19, placed a proposal before the state to raise the height of the side wall surrounding Powai lake by two to four metres, and also carry out deepening and widening work to increase the lake’s storage capacity.
The collected water from the lake will then be periodically infused into the Mithi to improve flow of the river and, at the same time, reduce pollutants at the source of the river.
“We will have to see if the steady flow of additionally collected fresh water from Powai lake into Mithi can be maintained for two to three months after or during monsoon. At this point, most water flowing into Mithi from the source and other means is either waste or drain water from the industry and households. I have asked for a technical feasibility study of the same,” chief secretary J K Banthia told TOI.
The MRDA is working on an action plan to rejuvenate the Mithi by deepening and widening the river. The chief secretary had set a May 31-deadline for completion of the Mithi development work. The work was split between the MMRDA and civic body.
Banthia approved the MRDA plan and asked it to carry out a feasibility study as early as possible. He
convened a meeting of MRDA officials to review the progress of the development work, even as the agency is yet to undertake other short- and long-term measures to control pollutants from industries and households into the river. The preventive measures include providing sewerage system and treatment plants on the banks of the river, control discharge of industrial waste by removing industries, and garbage collection and disposal arrangements. But not much has been done due to political interferenceand slow progress of work
. “We admit the work is behind schedule, but the main hurdle is removing encroachments along the banks and CRZ restrictions. The rest of the work has been on course,” said metropolitan commissioner U P S Madan.The river, which originates from water discharges of Powai and Vihar lakes, turns into a confluence of drain and industrial waste flowing along 18km from Powai, Saki Naka and Kurla to merge into the Arabian Sea from Mahim creek.
Source: http: //articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-22/mumbai/40726732_1_Powai-lake-mithi-river-development-authority-feasibility-study
Picture source: wikitravel.org
