BMC Launches Cleanliness Drive in Mumbai

BMC Special Cleanliness and Dust Mitigation Drive (October 29 - November 6)

Objective:

• To curb air pollution and enhance the air quality in Mumbai ahead of Diwali festivities.

Scope of the Drive:

• Duration: Nine-day initiative from October 29 to November 6.
• Focus Areas: Major arterial roads and dust-prone stretches in Mumbai, including:
  • Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR)
  • Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR)
  • Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) Connector
  • Eastern Express Highway
  • Western Express Highway
  • Additional stretches: Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Road, Sion-Mankhurd Road, S.V. Road, Link Road, Carter Road.

Action Plan:

• Intensive Cleaning Activities:
  • Road sweeping
  • Removal of accumulated dust and silt
  • Clear construction and demolition (C&D) waste
  • Cleaning road dividers, medians, traffic islands, footpaths, and kerbs.
  • Water sprinkling and misting at identified high dust locations.

Financial and Material Resources:

• Budget: ₹15 lakh allocated to each municipal ward.
• Equipment and personnel deployed include:
  • Mechanical sweepers
  • Misting machines
  • Water sprinklers
  • JCBs, dumpers, and litter pickers.

Operational Guidelines:

• Action plans prepared by Assistant Engineers in coordination with ward Assistant Commissioners.
• Mandatory provision of uniforms and safety equipment for sanitation workers.
• Overseen by Assistant Commissioners and zonal Deputy Municipal Commissioners.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Daily records maintained by each ward:
  • Locations covered
  • Activities undertaken
  • Manpower and machinery used
  • Quantities of dust and waste collected and disposed of.
• Use of geo-tagged photographs and videos to document the conditions pre- and post-cleaning.
• Central compilation of progress reports by the SWM Department’s operations team.
• Public relations initiatives to keep citizens updated on the drive’s progress and outcomes.

Context:

• Part of BMC's measures to control road dust and maintain Mumbai's Air Quality Index (AQI) especially critical during the winter season, known for poor air quality.

This initiative reflects the BMC's commitment to addressing environmental concerns related to air pollution and public health, emphasizing the need for proactive measures during high-pollution periods.