Mumbai: Swachhta Mitra to study challenges with waste management at source

In order to ensure effective implementation of waste segregation and processing at the source, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to appoint a Swachhta Mitra, or friend for cleanliness, on contract.

A Swachhta Mitra will visit bulk waste generators and study their problems and challenges faced during waste segregation and processing. "They have to meet office bearer of societies and check the development of waste processing," said a senior official from Solid Waste Management (SWM) department.

The appointed Swachhta Mitra will work under the assistant head supervisor and junior overseer of 24 wards. Civic chief Ajoy Mehta directed the SWM department on the same during the monthly review meeting held on Monday.

The civic body had made waste segregation and processing mandatory at the source for housing societies or commercial structures generating waste over 100 kg per day or for structures spread over an area of 20,000 square metre.

As per the data available with the Solid Waste Management (SWM) department, the civic body had identified around 3,374 bulk generators. It means that they are generating over 100 kg waste a day. The civic body claims that of 3,374 bulk generators, 1,476 units have already started waste management at source.

Meanwhile, the BMC had also issued a notice and dragged to court around 862 bulk generators for not compliance of civic notice. The civic body also collected Rs 27 lakh as fine from non-compliant.

The Swachhta Mitra will also visit public toilets in their respective areas and inspect the sanitation level and make a report in the prescribed format.

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The appointed Swachhta Mitra will work under the assistant head supervisor and junior overseer of 24 wards. Civic commissioner Ajoy Mehta directed the SWM department on the same during the monthly review meeting held on Monday.