Mumbai: Solid Waste Management department to reduce 200 trash dumpers

Mumbai: The Solid Waste Management (SWM) department of the civic body is expecting to reduce 200 waste transporting vehicles by May 2018. According to the civic sources the SWM officials successfully managed to cut down the city waste generation from 9,500 metric tonnes everyday to 7,200 metric tonnes.

“As more housing societies are expected to adopt waste composting mechanism the transportation of waste to dumping ground will be lessened in upcoming days. Also, as compared to February month last year, 120 waste transporting vehicles have been reduced in this year alone. In addition, by May month more 80 vehicles are likely to be reduced bringing the total to 200,” said the SWM officer.

Earlier, to transport 9500 metric tonnes of garbage to dumping grounds from city total 782 garbage vehicles, from western suburb 906 vehicles and from eastern suburb 550 vehicles were required bringing the total to 2,238. However, the number has now reduced to 2,118.

Following Bombay High Court (HC) orders of no more waste to be dumped in Deonar and Mulund dumping grounds as it already crossed its existing limit. The civic body started cracking the whip against bulk waste generators who generate 100 kg and above of garbage everyday. They have been asked to compost their own waste as it strictly ruled out that it won’t collect waste from their housing societies if they fail to adhere the set new direction regarding waste management.

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As the court had put an embargo on new construction projects, excluding redevelopment and slum rehabilitation schemes, after BMC failed to comply with orders that required it to make its dumping grounds compliant with pollution norms. Therefore, to lift court ban it seems BMC is trying all possible ways, and asking bulk generators to manage their own waste is one among them.

According to civic data from June 2017 to February 2018 send notices out of 3,300 housing societies including commercial establishments 1,000 of them already started the waste composting process. While 1,328 housing societies including commercial establishments have asked for an extension. Meanwhile, action against 845 housing societies and commercial establishments has been initiated as no reply was received even after repeated notices out of which on 13 the First Information Report (FIR) has been registered.

Garbage collectors

• Mumbai’s waste generation has been reduced from 9500 metric tonnes to 7200 metric tonnes.
• Bulk waste generators (100 kg and above) housing societies and commercial establishments have to manage their own waste.
• Garbage transporting vehicles to be reduced by 120 this year.
• By May, BMC to reduce number of waste transporting vehicles by over 80.
• 1,000 housing societies including commercial establishments so far have started waste composting process.
• Earlier, 2238 vehicles were required to transport waste, which has now been reduced to 2,118.