‘We are fine with fee if BMC does its work’

MUMBAI: Residents feel the BMC is justified to recover charges for waste collection and disposal but should ensure that waste is not merely dumped and is indeed processed.
King's Circle resident Nikhil Desai said the BMC should set up waste processing plants in every locality. “This would automatically reduce the quantum of garbage being transported to the dumping grounds,” he said. Currently, Mumbai’s waste goes into the Deonar and Kanjurmarg landfills.
Some hospitals don’t mind paying the fee either. “Hospitals are already paying a BMC-appointed agency for biomedical waste. A 15-bed hospital is charged Rs 3,000-4,000 a month by the agency. So, hospitals may not be averse to paying an additional sum of Rs 120-180 if the government wants to spend it somewhere to ensure cleanliness and proper garbage disposal,” said gynaecologist Dr Sudhir Naik, who owns a nursing home.
Hotel associations questioned the charge, considering that Trade Refuse Charges (TRC) are already collected. Niranjan Shetty, vice president, Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association said it is the BMC’s duty to provide waste disposal services.