Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed civic officials to prioritize the restoration of wells across the city, ensure pothole complaints are resolved within 24 hours, and remove construction debris and barricades immediately after road concreting works are completed.
Chairing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) monthly departmental review meeting on Thursday, Bhide emphasized the need to revive traditional water sources amid declining reservoir levels and forecasts of a delayed monsoon. She instructed ward officials to survey all public, government, and private wells and borewells, clean them, remove silt and waste, and establish rainwater recharge systems. Housing societies will also be encouraged to utilize well water through coordinated efforts with local representatives.
To improve road safety during the monsoon, Bhide ordered swift action on pothole complaints and called for the immediate removal of rubble, construction materials, and barricades after road projects are completed.
She also directed officials to identify accident-prone “black spots” and undertake engineering improvements, while strengthening coordination with traffic police to reduce congestion. Measures to curb illegal parking, promote the use of municipal parking facilities, and remove abandoned vehicles were also emphasized.
Reviewing flood preparedness, Bhide noted that desilting work had exceeded targets, with 112 percent completion in major drains, 115 percent in minor drains, and around 84 percent in the Mithi River. She instructed officials to continue drain-cleaning operations throughout the monsoon, monitor flood-prone locations, and replace damaged manhole covers to ensure public safety.
In the education sector, Bhide proposed the creation of a civic awareness handbook for students to promote cleanliness, discipline, traffic rule compliance, environmental conservation, and understanding of municipal services. She said developing civic sense from an early age would help create responsible and informed citizens.
The Commissioner also directed the integration of all BMC online services with the national UPYOG digital governance platform, enabling citizens to access multiple civic services through a single interface. She further called for wider use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in waste management, traffic control, water supply, healthcare, and grievance redressal systems.
To support this digital transformation, Bhide instructed the administration to organize AI and technology training programs for municipal officers, engineers, doctors, and other staff members, aiming to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery across Mumbai’s civic administration.
