Mumbai– The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has intensified its efforts to maintain public cleanliness, with Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi issuing strict directives to ensure clean-up marshals operate more effectively. She emphasized that negligence in maintaining public hygiene would not be tolerated.
In a high-level meeting at the BMC headquarters, Dr. Joshi revealed that over the past 11 months, approximately 1.40 lakh citizens have been fined for violating cleanliness norms, resulting in the collection of Rs 4.54 crore. However, she stressed the need to further increase enforcement actions against offenders to ensure better compliance with cleanliness regulations.
During the review, it was found that several areas have fewer clean-up marshals deployed than the mandated 30 per ward. Expressing dissatisfaction over the lax implementation, Dr. Joshi directed strict punitive action against agencies failing to meet the requirements. As a result, agencies operating in the F-South, R-Central, and R-South divisions have been penalized with fines amounting to Rs 31.34 lakh, Rs 16.03 lakh, and Rs 12.70 lakh, respectively.
The BMC is also cracking down on public nuisance offenders to ensure a cleaner and more sustainable Mumbai. Authorities are taking stricter action against individuals and businesses that fail to segregate wet and dry waste, burn garbage in open spaces, dispose of tree leaves and branches irresponsibly, or mishandle biomedical waste.
Dr. Joshi reiterated that all 12 clean-up marshal agencies must ensure full deployment of personnel and intensify enforcement against violators. Complaints against agencies with poor performance will also be dealt with strictly. With this renewed drive, the BMC aims to curb public nuisance, enhance cleanliness, and promote a healthier urban environment across Mumbai.
She also instructed officials to ensure that citizens are made aware of cleanliness regulations and the penalties for violations. Public awareness campaigns will be intensified through various mediums to encourage responsible waste disposal and stricter adherence to sanitation norms. The BMC remains committed to transforming Mumbai into a model city for cleanliness and hygiene.
