Mithi may become stench-free in the next three years

The Mithi river clean-up drive got a much-needed boost last month when the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority introduced an eco-friendly water purification project to revive the river. Renuka Rao reports.

The Mithi river clean-up drive got a much-needed boost last month when the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority introduced an eco-friendly water purification project to revive the river.

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Using pro-biotic material to ensure an eco-friendly decontamination of the river, the civic body has taken up the task to increase the dissolved oxygen content of the river.

Expected to be completed in three years at a cost of Rs 6 crore, the treatment has been activated in 13 different locations, from Vakola Nullah to Mahim Creek. “We intend to bring down the biological and chemical oxygen demand to less than 50 milligrams per litre from the present 500 milligrams per litre,” said Shridhar Arlikar, superintending engineer, transport and communications division, MMRDA.

The ideal level of dissolved oxygen in the water is 4 grams per litre, but the present level in the river is zero. With the latest treatment, the level is expected to go up to at least 2 grams per litre.

While the treatment is conducted on a regular basis as of now, the body is expecting to slow it down to intermittent transmission in a few years. “Once the treatment is over, we want solar emissions to penetrate the river and purify the water naturally. We are hoping it will wipe out the unbearable stench,” Arlikar said.