In a major boost to the government’s efforts to clean up Mithi river, State Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam and Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday announced a plan to build two sewer lines along its length to ensure no sewage is directly released into the river.
“Work on the project is on in full swing and we will complete it within the next two years. We should think of the Mithi not just as a river, but from a overall city development point of view. We need to look at whether it can open up transport opportunities or whether it can create employment opportunities,” Mr. Thackeray said.
He said the river has been deepened and widened in certain sections and nearly seven-foot-high boundary walls have been built on both sides along 16 km of the 21-km river. The cleaning and rejuvenation of the river is estimated to cost ₹2,136.89 crore, of which ₹1.156.75 crore has been spent. Mr. Thackeray said two sewage treatment plants will also be built at a cost of ₹500 crore to treat sewage water and potentially reuse it.
Mr. Kadam said the government is focused on rejuvenation of all rivers in Mumbai, including Dahisar and Poisar, as well as 20 major rivers in the State, and it has sent a proposal worth ₹6,000 crore to the Centre for approval.
