After installing underground garbage bins in South Mumbai, BMC has decided to install them across the city. Now, all the civic wards will have at least two areas where the underground bins will be installed.
In February this year, the civic body installed two underground garbage bins near Mafatlal Club at Girgaum Chowpatty and Cheetah Gate in Fort.
Ashok Khaire, joint municipal commissioner, Solid Waste Management (SWM) said that they received good response from residents as these bins do not emanate foul smell. "We have decided to buy 44 more such bins and install them in each ward," said Khaire. He added that under the pilot project underground bins were to be set up in four areas. "We have asked every ward to provide space to set up bins," said Khaire.
The idea behind replicating the model is to maintain cleanliness. "Dustbin or garbage bins are always down upon. People have hygiene issues, as they have to raise the top of the bin with bare hands. But this new concept is end to all these issues," said another official from the SWM.Conservancy workers can also use these for temporary storage.
The underground garbage bin fits in a 10 sq-m space and the size of the bin is about 1.1 cubic metre. The cost of each bin is Rs 8 lakh, and it has separate provisions for wet and dry waste.
Under the pilot project, underground bins were planned to set up at four places. However Only two could be installed. "We are facing space issues. We have written each ward to make space for these bins,"said Khaire.