In a fresh attempt to address the issue of trash dumping in nullahs, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced a completely new measure in Bandra West's P&T Colony. A 10-foot steel net has been erected on both sides of the nullah there.
Every year, the BMC organises a nullah-cleaning campaign to clear municipal culverts before the monsoon. But, despite these efforts, trash dumping continues to cause clogging in several nullahs.
The problem is widespread in slum neighbourhoods, where items such as furniture are frequently discarded into the nullahs. This has raised concerns among local authorities.
Last month, the Storm Water Drain (SWD) department installed steel nets on nullahs in Bandra West. The BMC plans to survey nullahs near chawls and slum areas.
The BMC has identified specific nullahs where waste dumping is common. These include Bandra, Dharavi, Kurla, areas around the Mithi River, Andheri, Goregaon, Malad, and others. In order to monitor the region, the BMC also intends to install CCTV cameras close to the nullahs. In Bandra West, two CCTV cameras will be erected close to the nullah.
The BMC has previously taken several measures. This involves setting up garbage cans next to the nullahs, covering them with nets, launching awareness campaigns, and designating marshals in charge of cleanup. Penalties have been imposed on those found discarding trash into nullahs.
The 2005 flood, which claimed over a thousand lives, was significantly caused by plastic carry bags clogging drains. Mumbai has 281 major nullahs, spanning 270 kilometres in length, and 1,490 minor nullahs. The western suburbs have 138 major and 294 minor nullahs, while the eastern suburbs have 114 major and 994 minor nullahs.
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