Mumbai: The BMC will now sweep all city roads twice daily, morning and evening, a practice previously limited to VIP areas like Fort, Malabar Hill, and Pedder Road. Additionally, a service-based contract will introduce an integrated waste collection and transport system using high-capacity, enclosed vehicles, 10–15% of which will be electric and equipped with leachate storage to prevent spills and odors. Also, a dedicated call center will be set up to address citizens complaints related to waste management.
The city generates 7,200 to 7,300 tons of waste daily, managed by 1,334 vehicles, some owned by the BMC and others contracted. The BMC has divided its 24 departments into 14 groups, assigning contractors for efficient management.
Contracts are either service-based, where the contractor handles the entire process, or hiring-based, where the contractor provides vehicles and the BMC manages other systems. The BMC has proposed service-based contracts for all administrative wards, except for L - Kurla, M (East) - Govandi, and M (West) - Chembur area.
Ashwini Joshi, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City), stated, "The new vehicles will have a higher carrying capacity of seven tons, compared to the current six tons, which will reduce the total number of vehicles needed. These vehicles will be more efficient, with a sleek, aesthetically appealing design and vibrant color schemes. They will feature fully enclosed rear sections, and for those transporting wet waste, built-in storage will be provided to collect leachate, preventing spills and odors on the roads. The collected leachate will be safely disposed of at the landfill following environmentally responsible methods. Furthermore, 10 to 15% of these vehicles will be electric, helping to promote sustainability and reduce the environmental footprint."
The BMC has decided to implement twice-daily sweeping across approximately 2,800 kilometers of roads in Mumbai. To support this extensive cleanliness drive, around 6,000 existing motor loader workers will be redeployed.
They will continue working within their current administrative wards, ensuring minimal disruption. The civic body has assured that the rights and earnings of these workers will remain unaffected, and no existing municipal garages will be closed.
