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’.