Mumbai’s Pre-Monsoon Desilting Drive: Over 82% Work Completed as Monsoon Advances
📍 Mumbai | Civic Infrastructure | June 4, 2025
In a major push to minimize flooding risks ahead of the monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that over 82.31% of desilting work across the city’s rivers and drains has been completed. The annual campaign, which began in March 2025, targets key flood-prone areas including the Mithi River and major and minor stormwater drains.
This year, the civic body set an ambitious goal of removing 9,68,008 metric tonnes of silt before the onset of the monsoon. As of the morning of June 4, 2025, approximately 7,96,765 metric tonnes have been cleared, despite the early arrival of unseasonal heavy rainfall in May.
📊 Desilting Status at a Glance:
- Major Drains
- Target: 3,57,430 metric tonnes
- Achieved: 3,78,214 metric tonnes (105.81%) ✅
- Minor Drains
- Target: 3,96,262 metric tonnes
- Achieved: 2,86,004 metric tonnes (72.18%) 🚧
- Status: Work ongoing until full target is met.
- Mithi River
- Target: 2,14,315 metric tonnes
- Achieved: 1,32,545 metric tonnes (61.85%) ⏳
- Note: Despite logistical challenges, intensified efforts and additional machinery are being deployed to expedite progress.
💡 AI-Powered Monitoring Ensures Transparency
For the first time, BMC has integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to monitor the quality and progress of desilting operations. The AI-assisted audits have enabled greater transparency and resulted in the imposition of fines exceeding ₹3 crore on underperforming contractors.
To strengthen oversight, the civic body has mandated:
- 30-second video documentation of all desilting activities
- Photographic proof for each site
- Before-and-after CCTV footage for minor drains
All collected media is being analyzed via AI algorithms to ensure compliance and prevent malpractices.
🚧 Civic Preparedness in Focus
The desilting efforts aim to:
- Enhance the flood-carrying capacity of Mumbai’s drainage systems
- Facilitate faster water discharge during intense rainfall
- Minimize waterlogging and urban flooding in vulnerable zones
While the premature onset of monsoon in early May 2025 posed initial setbacks, the BMC maintains that the remaining work—particularly in the Mithi River stretch—will be completed on priority using enhanced manpower and equipment.
“Desilting continues to remain a cornerstone of Mumbai’s monsoon readiness. Our integrated approach combining AI, video documentation, and strict contractor accountability is setting a new benchmark in urban flood preparedness,” a senior BMC official stated.