The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has reactivated its cleanup marshal scheme, appointing dedicated teams for the P/North (Malad, Malvani) and K West (Andheri, Vile Parle West) wards.
This strategic move, which sees the reintroduction of marshals in these areas, follows a hiatus of nearly two years and aims to bolster public hygiene and compliance with waste management regulations. Since the relaunch of the scheme on April 3, the BMC has deployed 879 marshals across 22 of its 24 administrative wards. The scheme has been notably successful, with the BMC accumulating INR 1.72 crore in penalties between April 3 and August 18. This financial figure underscores the scheme’s effectiveness in enforcing cleanliness standards.
To enhance transparency and operational efficiency, the BMC’s IT department has introduced an online penalty platform. This technological upgrade allows marshals to issue penalty receipts directly from the field via Bluetooth-connected printers. The collected fines are deposited straight into the agency’s account, which helps to mitigate complaints of extortion that have previously plagued the scheme. The return of cleanup marshals comes after a two-year gap, during which the initiative faced significant disruptions.
Wards like K-West and P/North experienced interruptions due to the previous contractor’s withdrawal. However, a new agency has been appointed to address these issues, with teams of 30 marshals assigned to each ward set to commence duties next week. The cleanup marshals are empowered under the BMC’s 2006 Solid Waste Management bylaws to impose fines ranging from INR 100 to INR 1,000. They enforce regulations against littering, illegal dumping, waste burning, spitting, and the failure to clean up after pets. Despite past challenges, including accusations of extortion and scheme discontinuations, officials assert that the marshals play a crucial role in maintaining public order and preventing unsightly garbage disposal in the city’s streets.
