The Times of India 08.06.2010
Fiat to BMC on dumping of silt at Malad plot
MUMBAI: The state revenue department’s allotment of a 20-acre plot at Malad to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the dumping of silt has come with certain riders. Irked by past incidents of construction debris dumped at the site meant for silt, the state revenue department has warned the BMC that no debris from dilapidated buildings—even though their number is likely to rise with the arrival of monsoon —be dumped at the new site.
“In the wake of monsoon, repair and reconstruction work will be carried out in many old structures. The state fears that debris from building collapses and these works may be dumped at the new site and therefore, has warned us on that count,” said a civic official.
TOI had, last week, reported that about 94,193 cubic metre silt, that would require five days of mopping, has been scooped up and is lying besides nullahs as the BMC and the collector spar over an eight-acre plot in Aksa. The collector has withheld permission for dumping silt at Aksa as a private trust, in part control of the land, had raised objections. The BMC then approached the state with its request and the land was allotted. However, the state has asked BMC to ensure that the silt is properly dried and levelled so that it doesn’t emanate stench in the neighbourhood.
“The corporation must also ensure that this silt water does not enter into buildings and hutments around the site during the monsoon,” reads the state circular. The state also warned the BMC that mangroves in the vicinity must not be affected and no Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norm be violated. This year, the state had given eight acres to the BMC compared to nearly three times the land provided every year, but that area was overloaded, leaving BMC with no place to dump the silt as its own dumpyards are saturated.
“In the wake of monsoon, repair and reconstruction work will be carried out in many old structures. The state fears that debris from building collapses and these works may be dumped at the new site and therefore, has warned us on that count,” said a civic official.
TOI had, last week, reported that about 94,193 cubic metre silt, that would require five days of mopping, has been scooped up and is lying besides nullahs as the BMC and the collector spar over an eight-acre plot in Aksa. The collector has withheld permission for dumping silt at Aksa as a private trust, in part control of the land, had raised objections. The BMC then approached the state with its request and the land was allotted. However, the state has asked BMC to ensure that the silt is properly dried and levelled so that it doesn’t emanate stench in the neighbourhood.
“The corporation must also ensure that this silt water does not enter into buildings and hutments around the site during the monsoon,” reads the state circular. The state also warned the BMC that mangroves in the vicinity must not be affected and no Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norm be violated. This year, the state had given eight acres to the BMC compared to nearly three times the land provided every year, but that area was overloaded, leaving BMC with no place to dump the silt as its own dumpyards are saturated.
