In a proactive measure to combat potential monsoon-related flooding, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a special cleanliness drive across Mumbai city and suburbs. Spearheaded by the Solid Waste Management Department, the campaign that has been running from May 29 and will concluded on June 15, aims to remove discarded waste and ensure smooth drainage flow during the rainy season.
On the very first day of the drive, BMC teams cleared a staggering 121.2 tonnes of waste across the city. This included 51.5 tonnes of construction debris, 28.1 tonnes of general garbage, and 41.6 tonnes of other discarded materials. The massive clean-up was executed with the help of 30 dumpers, 25 JCB machines, and a total of 62 mechanised units, showcasing the civic body’s readiness for the impending monsoon.
The initiative has been launched under the directives of BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, guided by Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi, and supervised by Deputy Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) Kiran Dighavkar.
As part of the campaign, civic teams are conducting daily clean-ups before 10 am, with provisions for second-round sweeping if required. The focus areas include riverbanks, stormwater drains, low-lying regions, and public spaces prone to garbage accumulation. The objective is to prevent blockages that lead to waterlogging, especially in flood-prone zones.
In a city-wide coordinated effort, ward-level offices are identifying and targeting garbage hotspots for deep cleaning. The work encompasses not only the removal of bulky waste but also cleaning of roads, narrow lanes, paver blocks, kerbstones, and crucial stormwater inlet points. More than 1072 sanitation workers and 10 volunteers participated in the initial phase of this operation. Officials stated that the drive will continue with equal intensity over the next two weeks and urged residents to cooperate by disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding dumping near drains and water bodies.
Activists` mixed reactions
“Stormwater drain cleaning has turned into a money-making spectacle. What Mumbai truly needs is a properly designed and built drainage system that eliminates the need for such flashy cleaning drives,” said activist Zoru Bathena. “For instance, every nullah in Mumbai should have floating debris removal booms installed at regular points, but very few actually do. The BMC is more focused on putting up a show with massive budgets, rather than solving real problems. The city`s sewage system, managed by the SO Department, is cleaned throughout the year quietly and efficiently, without any media hype. But the stormwater drains, handled by the SWD Department, are cleaned with a lot of publicity and drama. The bigger the hype, the more fake the show — that’s the BMC.”
Advocate Godfrey Pimenta, trustee of the Watchdog Foundation, said, “The recently launched monsoon preparedness drive is a welcome step. However, the municipal commissioner must instruct all assistant municipal commissioners across the 25 wards to conduct surprise inspections to genuinely assess the readiness. Some potholes have already reappeared and need urgent repairs before they get worse and obstruct traffic. On Saturday (June 7) we also noticed serious waterlogging on the slopes of many flyovers. Specifically, under the Santacruz flyover, the drainage pipes seem clogged, leading to rainwater pouring continuously onto the road. This issue needs immediate action.”
