Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 8: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis mounted a strong defence of the Mahayuti government's performance during a discussion under Rule 293 in the State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, highlighting initiatives in flood management, infrastructure development, urban renewal and financial reforms while accusing the Opposition of making unfounded allegations.
Addressing concerns over recurring urban flooding in Mumbai, Fadnavis said the government was accelerating the implementation of the long-pending BRIMSTOWAD drainage master plan, with the remaining key components expected to be completed within the next two years. He also announced that a comprehensive Rs 13,000-crore flood mitigation proposal covering 370 flood-prone locations has been submitted to the Centre for approval. The project aims to ensure floodwaters are drained within 30 minutes even during high tides.
Citing rainfall data, the Chief Minister said Mumbai had experienced exceptionally heavy precipitation during the first week of July. He noted that Colaba and Santacruz had already exceeded their average monthly rainfall within just six days, with most of the rain falling over four days. According to him, the intensity of rainfall, coupled with strong winds and high tides, created conditions that severely tested the city's infrastructure.
Referring to seasonal fatalities linked to the monsoon, Fadnavis said deaths caused by tree falls, landslides, building collapses and open manholes remain recurring challenges. He said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been directed to conduct scientific assessments of ageing trees and remove hazardous ones following established safety protocols.
The Chief Minister outlined measures taken to improve drainage, stating that nearly 1,000 dewatering pumps have been deployed jointly by the BMC, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the Railways. He added that all ten major pumping stations are operational, while desilting and drain-cleaning work has been substantially completed before the monsoon.
Fadnavis also criticised previous administrations over alleged irregularities in desilting contracts, claiming that earlier audits had uncovered fake transport records. He said the current government has introduced artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems to improve transparency and has imposed financial penalties on contractors found violating norms.
Defending the government's financial strategy, he questioned the practice of maintaining large fixed deposits while delaying infrastructure investments. According to him, civic funds are now being utilised to finance development projects, arguing that investment in public infrastructure generates greater long-term economic returns than keeping surplus funds in bank deposits.
On the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, the Chief Minister said the plan balances rehabilitation with commercial development while preserving Dharavi's role as a major centre for small-scale industries. He announced that around 1.6 lakh residential and commercial units will be rehabilitated.
Fadnavis said residents who settled in Dharavi before 2000 would receive free 350-square-foot homes within the redevelopment area, while those who arrived between 2000 and 2011 would be offered similar homes at a subsidised price of Rs 2.5 lakh. He added that alternative housing would be provided to residents not covered under the eligibility criteria and expressed confidence that the first 10,000 rehabilitation homes would be completed within the next 18 months.
Highlighting efforts to improve Mumbai's water supply, the Chief Minister said the long-delayed Gargai Dam project has secured environmental clearance and is scheduled for completion by May 2029. He also announced that desalination plants at Manori and Versova are expected to become operational by 2029-30, helping address the city's growing water demand.
Fadnavis said the state is also pushing ahead with the conversion of Mumbai's roads into cement concrete to minimise potholes. According to him, 95 per cent of the city's road network is being upgraded, significantly reducing annual maintenance expenditure.
Speaking on transport infrastructure, he said the expansion of the Coastal Road network will improve connectivity from South Mumbai to the city's northern suburbs and the proposed Virar Offshore Airport. He also stated that construction of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Indu Mill Memorial has been completed, with interior work in progress, while the Balasaheb Thackeray Memorial is expected to open by January 2027.
The Chief Minister further said mandatory procurement through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal and digitised contract management systems have improved transparency, reduced costs and led to the cancellation of inflated contracts.
Responding to criticism over landslide incidents on the newly opened Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link project, Fadnavis defended the engineering standards of the corridor, describing it as one of the country's most advanced infrastructure projects. He said the recent landslide affected only the protective canopy, while the bridge and tunnels remained structurally sound. Automated monitoring systems enabled authorities to clear the site quickly and restore traffic within 18 hours.
He also accused the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of shelving the Missing Link project after declaring it unfeasible, asserting that the Mahayuti government revived and completed it with the support of engineering experts.
Concluding his address, Fadnavis dismissed personal criticism directed at him and ended his speech with an Urdu couplet expressing confidence that perseverance ultimately leads to success despite obstacles along the way.