Tackling tonnes with grit and wit

The BMC is doing commendable work in clearing several thousand tonnes of solid waste daily. An army of over 28,000 sanitation workers quietly go about their jobs each morning keeping our streets clean. This is the second in a series focusing on positive news

- Shefali Parab-Pandit

The BMC manages over 6,500 metric tonnes (MT) of waste daily through its solid waste management (SWM) system.

From segregation and recycling to landfilling, this complex operation runs with precision, though not without challenges. As Mumbai wakes, the often-overlooked sanitation workforce is already in action quietly.

Mumbai generates vast amounts of waste daily from residential and commercial to industrial and biomedical sources. Of late, the BMC has been grappling with the growing challenges of e-waste, domestic hazardous waste and demolition and construction waste, which pose serious environmental and health risks.

From early morning, 28,821 workers begin cleaning roads, unclogging drains, managing community bins, and collecting waste from homes and commercial establishments. Their efforts are crucial in preventing disease outbreaks, reducing monsoon flooding, and maintaining the liveability of one of the world’s most densely populated cities.

This frontline army also clears beaches after crowds depart, manages the trash washed ashore by high tides, and restores order to streets littered during festivals, protests, and political rallies. A striking example is the recent Maratha Andolan, where thousands gathered at Azad Maidan. By the next morning, the BMC’s SWM department had meticulously cleaned the entire area, leaving no trash behind.