Reviews Monsoon Preparedness in Western Suburbs
Ashwini Bhide on Tuesday inspected several civic facilities in Andheri and Vile Parle and directed officials to reduce dependency on contractors for routine maintenance works and make better use of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s in-house workforce.
During the visit the Commissioner inspected the solid waste management chowky near Andheri railway station, the pest control chowky at Tata Compound in Vile Parle (West), and the maintenance chowky at Bajaj Road. She also reviewed pre monsoon preparedness works at Irla Nallah, SNDT Nallah and the Gazdarbandh pumping station.
Interacting with sanitation workers and civic staff, Ashwini Bhide reviewed their working conditions, operational timings and challenges faced during field duties. She instructed officials to improve the condition of sanitation, maintenance and pest control chowkies and ensure better basic facilities for workers.
The Commissioner observed that sufficient manpower is available in the maintenance department, but effective supervision by junior engineers is lacking. She directed all Assistant Commissioners across Mumbai’s 26 administrative wards to conduct detailed reviews of manpower deployment at maintenance chowkies and prepare structured area-wise action plans.
She specifically instructed officials that routine works such as curb stone installation, footpath repairs, road divider maintenance and other small civic repair works should be carried out primarily through BMC’s internal labour force instead of relying heavily on contractors.
Ashwini Bhide said civic engineers and field officers must ensure visible improvement in Mumbai’s road maintenance and repair works through better planning, accountability and efficient use of existing manpower. During her visit to the pest control chowky, the Commissioner inspected mosquito control equipment and rodent control systems and reviewed attendance records and operational mechanisms. She also directed officials to reduce staff absenteeism.
Highlighting concerns over rising malaria cases in areas such as Nehru Nagar in K-West ward, she instructed the pest control department to intensify anti-mosquito measures, eliminate breeding spots and increase public awareness regarding waste disposal and vector control.
The Commissioner later reviewed monsoon preparedness works and directed officials to keep all pumping systems fully operational before heavy rainfall begins. She emphasised that the Irla stormwater pumping station at Juhu must function at full capacity to prevent flooding in vulnerable areas including Milan Subway, Cooper Hospital vicinity, Vile Parle railway station and the Juhu-Vile Parle Development Scheme area.
She also instructed officials to immediately implement effective measures to prevent floating and solid waste from flowing towards Juhu beach by ensuring efficient use of mechanical screening systems. Deputy Commissioners Prashant Gaikwad and Manish Valanju Assistant Commissioner chakrapani Alle and other civic officials were present during the inspection visit.
