The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Monday initiated a large-scale cleanliness drive in the Kopri area, mobilising residents, civic officials, and students to enhance sanitation across public spaces. The campaign, covering Kopri village, Kanhaiya Nagar, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk, and Bara Bangla, combined garbage collection with road washing using treated water from sewage treatment plants, highlighting the city’s emphasis on environmentally responsible urban maintenance.
The initiative, launched from Ashtavinayak Chowk at 7.30 am, began with a cleanliness pledge and drew participation from local residents in substantial numbers. Civic administrators noted that engaging communities in such drives strengthens public accountability and promotes sustainable hygiene practices. A senior municipal official said the campaign aligns with TMC’s broader plan to integrate citizen involvement with systematic waste management and sanitation monitoring. School students and teachers from multiple local institutions, including People’s Education Society School and Jeevan Jyoti English Medium School, joined to spread awareness about waste segregation, carrying placards and raising slogans promoting a cleaner Thane. “Youth participation is critical in instilling long-term habits of hygiene and environmental stewardship,” an urban planner associated with municipal outreach programmes said.
Municipal departments deployed significant resources to ensure operational efficiency. Jetting machines, water tankers, 10-tonne compactors, JCB dumpers, and over 700 sanitation workers were mobilised for the drive. Officials from departments including gardens, water supply, sewerage, and education collaborated to oversee coverage and ensure compliance with sanitation standards. The drive also underscored disparities in urban waste management. In nearby Aarey Milk Colony, residents of 27 tribal hamlets reported inadequate garbage collection services, forcing many to dispose of waste openly. Community leaders highlighted the risk to forest ecosystems and wildlife due to accumulating garbage. A senior municipal environment officer noted that establishing consistent collection points and expanding waste management services to underserved areas is crucial for equitable urban sanitation.
Experts suggest that large-scale citizen-involved initiatives, when paired with systematic municipal support, can significantly improve waste handling, reduce air pollution from burning debris, and enhance public health outcomes. They emphasise that urban sanitation drives must be continuous and adaptive, integrating technology, community engagement, and environmental safeguards. The TMC campaign in Kopri marks a step toward a more inclusive, climate-conscious urban sanitation strategy. Its success depends on sustained civic participation, regular monitoring, and replication across other wards to ensure Thane evolves as a zero-carbon, resilient, and livable city.
Thane Municipal Corporation Leads Community Clean Up In Kopri
