Team Blitz India
MUMBAI: Think twice, or more, before polluting the Arabian Sea along Mumbai’s coastline! Vigilant citizens are recording your nefarious activities.
A person dumping waste in the sea at the iconic Gateway of India was fined Rs 10,000 by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently after a video of his act went viral. The video shows sacks full of flowers, garlands, and trash being emptied in the sea at the city’s famous locale. A group of people carrying the rubbish to the heritage site can be seen in the video in a black-and-yellow taxi.
Voices can be overheard of what seems to be the people filming the activity exclaiming in disgust over dumping of waste in the Arabian Sea.
Businessman Anand Mahindra, who is very active on social media site X, reposted the clip. “It hurts just to see this. No amount of improvement in physical infrastructure can improve the city’s quality of life if the civic attitude isn’t transformed. @ IqbalSinghChah2 @ MumbaiPolice,” he wrote.
The solid waste management department of BMC’s ‘A’ ward responded promptly when the post went viral. In collaboration with Mumbai police, they traced the cab from its registration number and soon identified the perpetrator.
In June, following Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s directives, the BMC initiated a dedicated helpline for garbage complaints. Special squads have also been created in wards to address dumping cases.
While helpline complaints have witnessed a decrease in numbers, video evidence is still being monitored on social media. The city hopes that such prompt action will send a strong message and deter people from dumping waste on Mumbai’s roads or the coast side.
