Mumbai: BMC pushes for mandatory waste management at source

The municipal commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) directed its official to reach out to maximum housing societies and bulk waste generators to further bring down total waste generation in the city. During his monthly meeting, he said that number of trips of vehicles carrying garbage has come down from last year after residents have started waste management at source.

As per the BMC, till June 2018, large compactor made 16,234 trips to carry garbage while in the same period last year, it was 17991 trips. "It is been more than one thousand less trips and this showed that city generated less garbage during in 2018," said an official from the Solid Waste Management department (SWM) of BMC. Similarly, small compactors made less number of trip to carry garbage to landfill.

With a number of measures, the BMC brought down daily waste generation in city to 7200 metric tonnes per day from 9500 metric tonnes. However, in order to further bring down, the BMC will continue its drive against bulk waste generators.

Meanwhile, SWM department of BMC issued notice against 285 building under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MR&TP) Act for making provision of waste composting within their premises. As per the act, building constructed after 2007, all buildings must have designated space for waste composting. Their intent of disapproval was issued with the condition that they have to make waste processing within building premises.

However, it was found that around 285 such buildings constructed after 2007 did not have composting facilities. The civic body issued notice under the MR&TP Act and gave them one month time to comply. 

Out of 285 buildings, 150 of them complied the notice and made provision of waste management within the building premises. And 16 buildings sought time extension to comply the notice. However, the civic body had to launch prosecution against 32 buildings for non compliance. At present, legal process is underway against 17 buildings.

However, buildings in Bandra (west), Khar (west) and Santa Cruz (west), Vile Parel, Andheri (west) and Jogeshwari (west) have not complied with the notice. According to SWM, action will be initiated against 70 buildings in these areas.

PROGRESS REPORT

• As per the BMC, till June 2018, large compactor made 16,234 trips to carry garbage while in the same period last year, it was 17,991 trips 
   
• BMC has brought down daily waste to 7,200 metric tonne per day from 9,500 metric tonne