Two new culverts at Mithi river, Kurla, operational

Two days after HT panelists inspected the airport culvert in Kurla and said the new culverts need to be functional before the monsoon to prevent waterlogging, authorities on Thursday said they were now operational.

Two days after HT panelists inspected the airport culvert in Kurla and said the new culverts need to be functional before the monsoon to prevent waterlogging, authorities on Thursday said they were now operational.

The airport authority has completed work on the two new culverts, each 12 metres wide, at the Mithi River near Kranti Nagar, Kurla.

HT Image

These have been built alongside the existing culvert. Mumbai mayor Sunil Prabhu, standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale and group leaders from other parties on Thursday visited the site.

“The work is satisfactory. We have worked hard and are sure Mumbai will not suffer during the monsoon,” said Prabhu.

After an inspection of the spot, an expert panel brought together by Hindustan Times had said that the two new culverts are crucial to keep the Mithi river flowing and prevent waterlogging in areas around the airport in the monsoon.

Civic officials said that the previous culverts were just 27-metres wide and would have been unable to carry the additional load in the monsoon.

“With the two new culverts, the width is 51 metres. The new culverts will mostly be used only during the monsoon,” said a civic official.