MUMBAI, April 4 -- After two failed attempts and an extension of a third deadline, the BMC has finally begun desilting work on the Mithi River, with operations now underway at five locations across all three project packages. Bids were received for all three packages of the Rs.29.5-crore project, which aims to remove 165,000 metric tonnes of silt. The tenders, floated on February 28, initially drew no response till the March 11 deadline. An extension to March 17 also failed to attract bidders, prompting a third extension till March 24, after which two companies submitted bids, allowing the process to move forward. Additional municipal commissioner (projects) Abhijit Bangar inspected the ongoing work along the Mithi River and at several sites in the eastern suburbs on Friday, reviewing progress as the civic body seeks to complete the exercise within the limited pre-monsoon window.htc...