The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has allowed "controlled feeding" of the pigeons at four new places in Mumbai. Owing to this, pigeons will be allowed to be fed here only between 7 am and 9 am.
This permission will be given only if a voluntary organization comes forward to manage the pigeon houses at all four places. The organization concerned will have to ensure that vehicles and pedestrians are not obstructed by providing pigeons with food, that the pigeon houses are kept clean, that citizens' complaints are taken into consideration and appropriate action is taken, and that all aspects of the management of these pigeon houses are taken care of by the organization.
An affidavit will also be taken from the organization. The Assistant Commissioners of the concerned administrative departments will be the coordinating officers (nodal officers). Plaques will also be put up in the vicinity of these pigeon houses to create public awareness about health.
The civic body has received 9,779 suggestions, objections and complaints regarding pigeon houses. This includes all aspects such as closing down, continuing, maintaining cleanliness, and providing grains in a controlled manner.
The pigeon houses will be located at four new locations in Mumbai: (1) Worli Reservoir in G South Zone, (2) Mangrove Area, Lokhandwala Back Road, near Vesave STP Project, Andheri West in K West Zone, (3) Creek Area, Old Airoli Mulund Zakat Naka, Airoli - Mulund Link Road, Mulund (East), and (4) Gorai Maidan, Borivali (West) in R Central Zone.
The municipality has not given permission to open the existing pigeon houses. It is also being clarified that the pigeon houses that are closed will remain closed.