The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed nearly 2,500 metric tonnes of marine waste from mumbai’s beaches during a special cleanliness drive conducted from July 9 to July 19, 2026, as part of its monsoon preparedness efforts.
According to the civic body, a total of 2,498.66 metric tonnes of waste was collected and scientifically disposed of during the 11-day campaign. The debris included plastic, thermocol, wooden waste, aquatic vegetation and other materials washed ashore by strong tidal activity.
The drive was launched ahead of the July 14 to July 18 high-tide period, when waves exceeding 4.5 metres were forecast to push large quantities of marine debris onto the city's coastline.
The campaign was carried out under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and the leadership of Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma. The BMC said multiple departments worked in coordination, with additional machinery, vehicles and sanitation workers deployed to ensure timely waste removal throughout the monsoon.
The civic body noted that heavy rainfall in early July, which crossed 1,000 mm, washed large amounts of plastic, thermocol, wooden debris and other refuse from drains and natural waterways into the Arabian Sea. Subsequent high tides then carried the waste back onto Mumbai's beaches, increasing the cleaning challenge.
To tackle the situation, the BMC intensified beach-cleaning operations and strengthened its solid waste management efforts. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) Kiran Dighavkar said Juhu Beach recorded the highest volume of waste collected during the drive, accounting for 1,825 metric tonnes.
The BMC said dedicated beach-cleaning teams will continue operating throughout the monsoon to remove marine litter washed ashore by tidal activity. It also appealed to residents to support its efforts by avoiding littering and helping maintain clean, safe and environmentally sustainable beaches across Mumbai.
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