Mumbai: These are city’s dirtiest wards

The garbage helpline, started by CM Eknath Shinde in the absence of corporators and pending civic elections at the BMC has been inundated with thousands of calls and complaints since its launch in June 2023. According to statistics compiled by the civic body, Kurla, Andheri West, and Malad rank as the top three wards with the highest number of garbage accumulation complaints, with Kurla leading the list.

BMC data reveals that the CM's helpline received a total of 6,388 complaints between June 7 and August 8. Out of these, 4,848 complaints were related to garbage accumulation, while 1,540 were related to illegal debris dumping.

In terms of garbage accumulation complaints, Kurla's municipal L ward received the highest number, with 496 complaints, followed by Malad's P North ward with 397 complaints and Andheri-Jogeshwari's K West ward with 385 complaints. Collectively, these three wards accounted for 26 per cent of complaints related to solid waste management.

Garbage on station road in Kurla East on September 9

The other category of complaints pertains to debris dumping, with about 14 per cent of these complaints originating from Andheri West. The K West ward in Andheri recorded a total of 216 complaints of debris dumping, followed by 152 complaints from F North civic ward, encompassing the Sion-Matunga area. The third highest in debris dumping was the S civic ward, covering the Vikhroli to Bhandup stretch in the eastern suburbs. The wards with the least complaints for garbage are Mulund's T ward, Majid Bunder and Sandhurst Road's B ward and D ward of Malabar Hill.

CM Shinde's intervention and order prompted the BMC to launch a chatbot for registering complaints about solid waste management on June 7. However, the CM had to reprimand civic officials two weeks ago when he observed garbage dumps near Mazgaon during a visit to the area.

Civic activist and Kurla resident, Anil Galgali, acknowledged the issue of solid waste management in Kurla, "The first ward is vast, with 70 per cent of the area comprising slums. The BMC takes action after receiving complaints but proper waste management needs to be enforced," he said.

Activist Rajkumar Sharma, who had filed a PIL on poor solid waste management in the city, criticised the BMC for its handling of the issue, attributing it to poor management. "Why the authorities don't address the root causes leading to waste accumulation in public places," he said.

Dhaval Shah, Founder of Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association, acknowledged the problem of illegal debris dumping in their area, citing a construction and repair boom. He said, "BMC needs to strengthen debris disposal services at a reasonable rate and develop a comprehensive management plan for solid waste."

June 2023
Month when garbage helpline was launched