Garbage collection fees proposed in draft byelaws

Fines increased after 19 years, citizens' responsibilities clearly defined

- Linah Baliga

MUMBAI: The BMC on Monday unveiled its draft cleanliness and sanitation byelaws for 2025, which include a user fee for the daily collection of solid waste from individual flats. Under the proposed byelaws, residences with a built-up area (BUA) of up to 50 square metres will face a monthly fee of ₹100, while those with a BUA of between 50 sqm and 300 sqm will incur a charge of ₹500. For houses exceeding 300 sqm in BUA, the fee will be ₹1,000 for waste collection.

The Solid Waste Management (SWM) user fee will also be levied on commercial establishments, guesthouses, restaurants, clinics, laboratories, godowns, offices, small and cottage industry workshops, cold storage units, marriage halls, festival halls, exhibitions and fair areas.