Mumbai has not only become more contaminated than Delhi in terms of air pollution, but it also houses some of the most polluted rivers. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in an attempt to make the sea free of floating debris flowing in from these polluted rivers, is planning to install trash booms in four rivers and three nullahs in the city as a part of a pilot project to check the effectiveness of the booms.
Seven booms will be placed in Oshiwara, Mithi, Dahisar and Poisar rivers. Mogra, Irla and Lovegrove Nullahs are also going to get trash booms. The placement of the booms will depend on the exact location where the river debris tends to accumulate. These will prevent materials such as bottles and plastic bags from entering the sea. Workers will be deployed where the booms are placed to clear the floating debris that the booms collect.
The floating barriers may include different components to suit the requirements of still and moving water. The BMC will also deploy a machine that will remove pollutants from the river directly, and will be used at places where the rivers meet the sea.
Messrs Kleintech Infra Private Limited has been hired for the setup of the booms. The cost for the system to be installed is ₹1.17 crore.