Daily News Analysis

Mithi River

stylish_lining

Recently, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police arrested a 49-year-old contractor in connection with the multi-crore Mithi River desilting fraud. The scam has resulted in significant financial losses, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) losing over ₹65 crore.

This fraud involves the mismanagement and fraudulent practices related to the desilting operations of the Mithi River, a vital watercourse that flows through Mumbai.

About Mithi River

The Mithi River is an important river flowing through the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra, and plays a crucial role in the city’s drainage and monsoon water management systems. Here are some key details about the river:

  1. Origin and Course:
    • The river originates from the overflow of Vihar Lake and also receives water from Powai Lake, which is located approximately 2 km downstream.
    • It flows through some of Mumbai’s most densely populated areas, including Powai, Saki Naka, Kurla, Kalina, Vakola, Bandra Kurla Complex, Dharavi, and Mahim.
    • After traveling 18 km, the river discharges into the Arabian Sea at Mahim Creek.
  2. River Characteristics:
    • In its upper reaches, the Mithi River has an average width of 5 meters.
    • The river has been expanded over the years, particularly after the devastating 26 July 2005 floods, which resulted in the river being widened to 25 meters in the middle reaches and up to 70 meters in the lower reaches.
    • The river is a seasonal watercourse, primarily depending on monsoonal rainfall for water flow.
  3. Importance:
    • The Mithi River is an important part of Mumbai's stormwater drainage system and helps manage the excess rainwater during the monsoon.
    • The city has faced significant challenges in managing the river, especially with flooding issues, which have been exacerbated by encroachments and illegal construction along its banks.
  4. Environmental Issues:
    • Over the years, the Mithi River has suffered from severe pollution due to untreated sewage and industrial waste being discharged into it.
    • The river's desilting and cleaning efforts have been a key focus of the BMC to ensure better drainage and reduce flood risks. However, corruption and mismanagement, as evidenced by the recent fraud, have hampered these efforts.

 

Critical Minerals

India’s first auction of deep-sea blocks for the extraction of critical minerals has been delayed indefinitely after receiving a poor response from bidders. This auction was expected to be a
Share It

President's Rule

The extension of President’s Rule in Manipur has brought to the fore the historical and controversial use of Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, shedding light on how its imposition disr
Share It

Beggars' Homes in India

In M.S. Patter v. State of NCT of Delhi, the Supreme Court (SC) held that state-run beggars’ homes are not merely penal institutions or charitable endeavors but are instead constitutional tr
Share It

Public Distribution System (PDS)

India's Public Distribution System (PDS) has long been a cornerstone of food security, ensuring access to subsidised cereals for millions of people. However, a recent Crisil study using the &l
Share It

Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA)

The recent Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) represents a major shift in the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and South Asia, with significant implications for Indi
Share It

Wassenaar Arrangement

The Wassenaar Arrangement is facing significant challenges in adapting its controls to the rapid growth of cloud technology. This issue highlights the need to update its control lists and enforcem
Share It

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2023 highlights a 9.2% increase in crimes against children in India, with 177,335 cases registered in total. This reflects a concerning rise in
Share It

Doctrine of Contributory Negligence

The Andhra Pradesh High Court recently made an important ruling regarding the doctrine of contributory negligence in criminal law. The court clarified that contributory negligence does not apply t
Share It

Perpetual Bonds

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA) recently raised ₹453 crore at an interest rate of 7.70% per annum through its second issue of Perpetual Bonds. This move is part of the
Share It

Fake News

The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology in India has recently proposed several measures aimed at tackling the pervasive issue of fake news and misinformation, acknowled
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS