The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has recovered over ₹13 crore after using Artificial Intelligence to monitor and flag irregularities in the pre monsoon desilting work across the city. In 2025 to 2026, BMC spent around ₹238 crore on desilting of minor and major nallahs, including the Mithi river. By deploying AI to scan photographic and video evidence, the civic body identified multiple violations and withheld payments to contractors for the flagged trips.
According to additional BMC municipal commissioner Abhijeet Bangar, this AI-based system has helped make the monitoring process more accurate and efficient. “The most common violation the AI system flagged was when photos and videos of desilting were not uploaded, which made it an open and shut case,” he said. Another issue detected was suspiciously short time gaps between the recording of empty and filled vans, making the desilting trips appear fake.
In some cases, the system spotted videos that were recorded earlier and played on a different phone at the site to trick GPS markers. This was identified through mismatches in shadows and lighting. In all such instances, the BMC immediately deducted payments to the contractors, without seeking any explanation, to improve accountability and encourage proper work.
In one incident in the T ward, AI flagged 90 desilting trips for a 200 meter stretch where fewer trips were actually needed. Notices were issued to the contractor. In another case in M West ward, AI helped detect debris mixed with silt, leading to the cancellation of the contract and blacklisting of the contractor for three years.
Despite some backlog in desilting, especially in minor nallahs, BMC officials believe these strict checks are necessary. Bangar added, “AI can be trained to detect dust clouds to identify if debris is being mixed. We will work with an agency to refine this system further.”
BMC officials say these checks will help accurately assess desilting needs for future monsoon preparedness.
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