The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to reinvigorate its Clean-Up Marshal initiative to combat littering in the city. Originally launched pre-COVID-19, the initiative had to be temporarily halted during the pandemic.
With the objective of upholding cleanliness standards, the BMC plans to deploy 720 clean-up marshals across all wards in Mumbai, imposing fines ranging from INR 200 to INR 1000 on violators. In an effort to curb the prevalent issue of littering, clean-up marshals will initially issue warnings during the first eight to ten days. Subsequently, an online fine collection process will be implemented for efficient payment transactions. To streamline online payments, the BMC is actively working on developing a user-friendly app.
The revival of the initiative comes after reported instances of some marshals engaging in unauthorised fine collections during the COVID-19 outbreak, despite their primary responsibility of penalising those not adhering to mask-wearing protocols. The BMC promptly terminated their contracts upon discovering the illicit activities. The surge in trash and litter on Mumbai’s streets underscores the essential role of clean-up marshals in maintaining civic hygiene. In an upcoming phase, the BMC contemplates imposing heavier fines ranging from INR 5000 to INR 10,000 on persistent offenders to further deter littering and contribute to pollution reduction efforts. Offenders will have the option to pay fines online or in cash, with 50% of the fine income allocated to the contracted service provider and the remaining 50% directed towards the BMC. The civic body is finalising partnerships with two banks to facilitate seamless online fine collection. As the clean-up marshals gear up for enforcement this week, the BMC’s reinforced initiative aims to instil a sense of responsibility among citizens, fostering a cleaner and more environmentally conscious Mumbai.
