The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced a comprehensive set of fines targeting public sanitation violations, signalling a stricter enforcement approach across Mumbai. Under the newly notified Solid Waste Management, Cleanliness and Sanitation Bye-laws 2025, penalties now range from Rs 200 for minor offences to Rs 25,000 for serious violations, aiming to curb littering, spitting, and unauthorised disposal of construction waste.
The move covers a broad spectrum of waste generators, including individuals, street vendors, housing societies, commercial establishments, and building contractors. Spitting in public areas now carries a fine of Rs 250, while littering household or commercial waste attracts a Rs 500 penalty. Failure to segregate wet and dry waste at source has been pegged at Rs 200, whereas unauthorised transportation or dumping of construction or demolition debris can result in fines as high as Rs 25,000 per vehicle. Officials emphasise that these measures are designed to strengthen compliance with waste management norms and enhance urban hygiene. “Mumbai generates vast quantities of municipal solid waste daily, and strict adherence to these bye-laws is critical for effective collection, segregation, and processing,” said a senior civic officer involved in the rollout.
The bye-laws are aligned with the 2016 Solid Waste Management Rules issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. They detail responsibilities for waste producers, municipal authorities, and contractors, while also addressing disposal of biomedical waste, e-waste, plastic, and construction debris. Violations are clearly classified, covering 21 types of offences ranging from public urination and defecation to washing utensils or clothes in public spaces, feeding stray animals, and failure to clean drains or premises. In addition to enforcement, the BMC has ramped up regular cleanliness drives and awareness campaigns. Civic officials note that successful implementation requires active participation from residents, commercial entities, and event organisers. Non-compliance during public events, such as failure to restore venues to a clean state within four hours, may also lead to forfeiture of cleanliness deposits.
Urban planners and waste management experts suggest that the new fines, coupled with sustained monitoring, could provide a significant boost to sanitation standards and city livability. They stress, however, that the success of such measures depends on continuous public engagement, robust municipal monitoring, and technology-driven enforcement such as CCTV and sensor-based tracking. The introduction of hefty penalties marks a decisive step in Mumbai’s effort to improve urban hygiene and responsible waste management, reflecting broader goals of building a zero-carbon, climate-resilient, and people-first city.
BMC Rolls Out Hefty Penalties Up To Rs 25000 For Spitting And Littering
