The Maharashtra government, on 3 March 2006, formally inaugurated the Mithi River Rehabilitation project in Mumbai. Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the nodal project implementing agency, has assured that a major portion of the project will be completed before the monsoons.

The project costing Rs.130 crore would be implemented in two phases -- scheduled for completion in June 2006 and June 2007, respectively.

The project will involve widening of the river channel, dredging of the riverbed, removal of encroachments, checking effluent discharge and construction of public toilets.

The project will start with the rehabilitation and resettlement of around 6,000 families living in shanties and slums along the river route. The river restoration project will be implemented as per recommendations of Central Water & Power Research Station (Pune) and Centre for Environmental Science Engineering (part of IIT, Mumbai).

Background: The Mithi river, also known as the Mahim river, is a seasonal river that acts as a natural storm water drain in the monsoons. Over the years, the river has turned filthy and constricted due to the presence of slums and industrial units along its route. The carrying capacity of the river today stands greatly reduced and its role as a natural drainage channel has reduced to naught. In fact, it is being used as a open dumping ground for effluents and garbage.

The river -- actually a confluence of tail waters of the Powai and Vihar lakes -- originates at Powai and meets the Arabian Sea at the Mahim creek, traversing a 15-km route through industrial units and residential areas of Powai, Saki Naka, Kurla, Kalina, Vakola, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Dharavi and Mahim.

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