The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has amassed a staggering Rs. 1.11 crore in penalties over a five-month period.
Empowered by the Swachh Angan (clean premises) programme and bolstered by citizen engagement through WhatsApp, BMC’s stringent enforcement measures have resulted in over 4,454 cases being recorded, signalling a robust stance against environmental transgressions. Since its inception, the initiative has garnered substantial traction, with a significant portion of complaints emanating from prominent wards such as H/West (Bandra, Khar, and Santacruz), K/West (Andheri, Jogeshwari, and Vile Parle), M/East (Deonar, Mankhurd), and C ward (Pydhonie and Bhuleshwar), among others. Notably, the Swachh Angan programme accounted for the lion’s share of infractions, constituting nearly 70 percent of all reported cases. With 3,163 complaints lodged against violators of the Swachh Angan guidelines, BMC has levied fines amounting to Rs. 59.71 lakh, underscoring the gravity of maintaining clean premises. Additionally, penalties totalling Rs. 44.41 lakh were imposed for the unauthorised dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) debris, in response to 742 complaints received during the stipulated period.
Although citizen complaints regarding garbage burning were relatively low, BMC remains vigilant, having registered 214 cases of open burning and taking requisite action. Moreover, in its pursuit of environmental stewardship, BMC has also enforced fines amounting to over Rs. 6 lakh for instances where C&D waste was found inadequately covered with tarpaulin sheets, exemplifying its commitment to waste management and pollution mitigation. In a bid to further fortify its efforts, BMC has reintroduced a team of clean-up marshals onto the city streets after a hiatus of nearly two years. This move underscores the municipality’s unwavering resolve to ensure the city’s cleanliness and combat environmental degradation effectively. As BMC continues its rigorous enforcement drive, the substantial penalties levied against polluters serve as a stern warning to errant individuals and entities, signalling a renewed emphasis on environmental compliance and sustainability in Mumbai.
