Ahead of monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has identified 11 locations to install trash nets on outfalls of stormwater drain (SWD) lines to prevent garbage from entering the sea.
This move came after the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) 2020 order on a petition filed by NGO Vanshakti seeking measures to prevent garbage from entering the sea. Vanshakti had said the use of nets could reduce 80 per cent of the non-biodegradable waste entering the sea.
Civic body officials stated that all 11 nets will be installed in south Mumbai as a pilot project, and they will be extended to more outfalls.
The BMC will source this technology from Australia, said officials adding that they are expected to get the nets by August.
It has come to light that among the outfalls to be covered in the pilot project are BEST Marg Outfall, Madam Cama Road, Wankhede Stadium Outfall, Colaba Pumping Outfall, and Arthur Bandar Outfall, according to the SWD department.
Reports states, in Mumbai, there are at least 180 stormwater drain outfalls meant for carrying rainwater. But due to the presence of open nullahs at many of these spots, people throw garbage into them that ultimately flows into the sea through the outfalls.
For those unversed, the agencies had said it was the BMC’s responsibility to ensure that solid waste was not dumped into the sea. In November last year, the NGT imposed a penalty of INR 28.20 crore on BMC for discharging untreated sewage into the sea and creeks.
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