The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed nearly 10,000 kilograms of waste from the historic Banganga Tank at Malabar Hill on Monday, September 22, and Tuesday, September 23. The cleanup followed the end of the Pitru Paksha rites, when a huge amount of waste was seen floating.
The first signs of fish deaths were seen on Sunday, September 21. Devotees had started offering food, flowers, and other items as part of the two-week rituals. As per sources, the submersion of organic and floral offerings reduced oxygen levels in the water. This led to the death of a large number of fish.
According to officials, more than 6,000 kilograms of waste were removed on Sunday alone. On Monday and Tuesday, about 2,000 kilograms each were cleared. The waste also included dead fish, plastic, floral materials, and organic matter. Seven dumper trucks were used for transportation.
The BMC has also deployed aerators and dewatering pumps at the tank. Fresh water and oxygen are being pumped into the reservoir. Water samples were collected and sent for laboratory testing to check for chemical contamination.
As per reports, the efforts will help stabilise the water quality. Representatives from the Fisheries Department, Taraporewala Aquarium, and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) visited the site for inspection.
Banganga Tank, managed by the GSB Temple Trust, is a 12th-century freshwater reservoir. The site is known for housing over 220 species of fish. However, large-scale fish deaths during religious ceremonies have become a recurring problem.
Following the incident, environmentalists have demanded long-term solutions. They have urged the civic body to create artificial ponds for ritual immersions.
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