The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has given flower market vendors in Dadar a two-day deadline to clean up their waste or face serious repercussions.
The vendors received a notice from the assistant engineer of the G/North ward's solid waste management department. For better reach of the message, a warning was also broadcast on loudspeakers in the morning.
According to reports, those who don't comply may have to pay a fine of INR 5,000 and file police complaints. BMC can also file legal charges under sections 268 and 290 of the Indian Penal Code (related to causing public disturbance) and Section 368 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act (pertaining to the duty of owners to manage waste).
In response to the BMC's actions, vendors and employees have hastily started disposing of their flower debris in the rear of the flower market. This area has a machine that recycles the discarded flowers into fertiliser or incense sticks.
The flower market is not seeing many buyers due to the ongoing 'pitru paksh' season, which continues until October 15th. Even then, more than 70 trucks of flowers arrive daily. But, with only a few buyers, prices have plummeted to just INR 10 per kilogram. As a result, flowers often end up on the streets until BMC's garbage vans can collect them.
The BMC has provided a fixed compactor for trash disposal, known as "hayva," situated out of the market. However, due to the overwhelming amount of flowers, it fills up rapidly and requires removal by evening. Additionally, BMC's garbage compactor vehicles frequently make rounds on the market to manage the excess waste.
Interestingly, the discarded flowers on the road have created an opportunity for homeless individuals in the area. They get hired to clean and sweep the discarded flowers for later sale.
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