PMC to rent robot from Mumbai civic body, use it at places where encroachments make entry difficult for earth removal machines

The Standing Committee of the civic body will bring a JCB robot on rent from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the next two days. JCB robots have been used in big numbers by various municipal corporations, including the civic bodies of Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. Now, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will use them for pre-monsoon works for the first time. Encroachments near nullahs in the city have made it impossible to make use of JCB earth removal machines as there is hardly any space to enter the area.

At many places, debris and garbage congestion has already obstructed the stream. "We shall observe the work and usefulness of the first JCB robot and then ask for more robots to be sent to expedite the work before the monsoon," said Ganesh Bidkar, chairman, Standing Committee. "Our idea to make use of these robots before June 7, when the monsoon arrives."

He added that the decision was taken under Section 60 of the BPMC Act for making use of essential amenities. The decision was taken in the meeting followed by a review of the entire pre-monsoon works. "At many places, the garbage congestion in the nullahs is over 500 tonnes and only JCB robots can enter here," said Bidkar.

Ambil Odha, Nagzari and Moti Nulla meet the Mutha river, but there are encroachments at these places and they have become a dumping ground. "It is sad that people are dumping garbage and construction debris throughout the year, causing the nullahs to vanish at many places," said Sunil Joshi, city coordinator of Jal Biradari, an NGO.u00a0

Divers at vital points
To remove obstructions in the storm water drains along city roads, the PMC is also using a diver. Vijay Shivtare, a 44-year-old former navy underwater diver, spent 70 minutes in a 52-metre-long storm water drain system to remove blocks and repair leakages on Jangli Maharaj Road. "We are using Shivtare judiciously in the city and also in suburban areas," said Vijay Kapse, Junior Engineer, PMC.