Development of Mithi River not a priority for CM

Mumbai was shaken by the Monsoon deluge on the 26th July 2005, and the Mithi river was the most important reason for the disasterous situation faced by the mumbaikars on that day. To ensure that there is no repetition of the situation, the state government decided to restore the glory of the Mithi river which has got converted into a nalla, for the same the govt established a separate body naming it the Mithi river development and conservation Authority under the Chairmanship of the CM. It has now come to light that the respective CM's in the past 5 years have failed to give due importance to the conservation activity of the Mithi river, as it has come to light that the Mithi river Authority has not held a single meeting in the past 5 years, this information was provided to RTI activist Anil Galgali by the Mithi River Development and Protection Authority. RTI activist Anil Galgali has been continuesly pursuing the development issue of the Mithi river since 2005 sought information from the Mithi river Authority about the details of meetings held by it on the issue of developing the river since 2005. The Dy Planner and Public Information officer of the authority, Shri Shivraj Pawar informed Galgali that, the Mithi River Development and Protection Authority was established on 19th August 2005, and the CM is the Chairman of the Authority. In the last 10 years a total of 6 meetings were held since 2005. 2 meetings were held in 2005, and 1-1 meeting was held in the years 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010. In the past 5  years since 2011-2015 CM's namely Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan and currently Devendra Fadnavis have not held a single meeting till date. Apart from the CM, the Chief Secretary has been made the Chairman of the High power committee of the Authority, the said committee too has met 11 times since establishment. Of the 11 meetings, 1 meeting each was held in the years 2005 & 2012, 2 meetings each was held in the year's 2006 &  2008, and a maximum of 5 meetings were held in 2013 alone. Chief Secretaries J Saharia and Swadheen Kshatriya to seem to share the disinterest exhibited by the CM's and seem to have pledged not convene meetings in their respective tenure's. On being queried about how many meetings have to be held mandatory in a year, Galgali was informed that no such rule is in the govt resolution. The length of the Mithi river is 17.8 kms. Of which the MCGM looks after the development of 11.8 kms from Vihar Lake to CST bridge. The MMRDA is responsible for developing the balance 6 kms from CST bridge to Mahim causeway including the Vakola nalla portion. After the Mithi river disaster in 2005 the maharashtra government formed the Mithi River Development and Protection Authority and fixed the responsibility of cleaning and development work on the MMRDA and the MCGM. Though Rs 1200 crores has been spent on the development activities of the Mithi river till date the work remains non satisfactory due to the disinterest of the respective CM's alleged Galgali, further Galgali has demanded that the CM Devendra Fadnavis should immediately look into the matter and immediately convene the meeting of the Authority. Galgali further questioned the motives of the Chief Secretary for not providing the necessary power and thrust to the activities though heading the High power committee. Galgali has further appealed to the state government to change its attitude and stop ignoring the developmental activity from the CM and the Chief Secretary.