Mumbai’s Unique Solution: BMC Installs Steel Nets to Curb Garbage Dumping in City Nullahs
Mumbai, 13th December 2023: In response to the persistent issue of garbage dumping in city nullahs, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai has introduced a novel solution. As a trial initiative, a steel net, extending up to 10 feet, has been installed on both sides above the nullah at P&T Colony in Bandra West. To further enhance monitoring and enforcement, the BMC is planning to deploy CCTV cameras aimed at identifying and penalizing individuals involved in illegal garbage disposal in the nullah.
Despite the annual nullah-cleaning drives conducted by the BMC before the monsoon to clear city culverts, many nullahs continue to face blockages due to indiscriminate dumping of garbage. Previous attempts to address the issue, especially in slum areas where larger items like furniture are frequently discarded, have not yielded the desired results.
The Storm Water Drain (SWD) department initiated the installation of steel nets on Bandra West nullahs last month, and the BMC intends to conduct surveys of nullahs in areas with chawls and slums. Sources from the SWD department highlight the forthcoming review to evaluate the effectiveness of the nets in deterring waste dumping. If successful, the BMC plans to implement this solution in other nullahs prone to frequent garbage disposal.
Specific nullahs in Bandra, Dharavi, Kurla, near the Mithi River, Andheri, Goregaon, and Malad, identified as common dumping grounds, will be targeted for these preventive measures. Sudhakar Shinde, additional municipal commissioner, emphasized the installation of CCTV cameras near the nullah in Bandra West to monitor the area. The goal is to use such surveillance to identify and penalize offenders, acting as a deterrent for others contemplating similar actions in different locations.
The BMC has previously implemented several measures to address this challenge, including installing dustbins along nullahs, covering them with nets, conducting awareness campaigns, and appointing clean-up marshals. Penalties have been imposed on individuals caught throwing garbage into nullahs. This proactive approach is crucial in preventing the obstruction of drains, a factor that contributed significantly to the devastating 26/7 deluge in 2005, resulting in numerous casualties.
In Mumbai, there are a total of 281 major nullahs with a combined length of 270 km, distributed across the city (29), western suburbs (138), and eastern suburbs (114). Additionally, there are 1,490 minor nullahs, with the city having 202, western suburbs 294, and eastern suburbs 994. These initiatives underscore the ongoing efforts to address and mitigate the challenges associated with waste management in Mumbai’s water drainage systems.
