Mumbai: Bandra shopkeepers demand dustbins on Hill Road amid litter blame

Dry waste on Hill Road in Bandra West. PICS/MADHULIKA RAM KAVATTUR

Shopkeepers have complained about being unfairly blamed by Bandra West residents for littering on Hill Road, which is visited by hundreds, if not thousands, of shoppers daily. They claimed that the footpaths between the Bandra police station and St Peter's Church, a 650-metre stretch, have grown dirtier over the years, mainly due to the lack of dustbins in the area.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated the removal of garbage dustbins to eliminate foul odours, prioritising door-to-door collection of waste, but locals pointed out that there are mostly non-food vendors at the spot.

Mahesh Jadav, assistant engineer of solid waste management, H West ward, said, "We have told all the stall and shop owners to keep dustbins. Our sweepers visit the spot in the morning and late evening. If there have been instances where shop owners were asked to pick up litter, it might be because the sweepers saw them littering in the first place. Our sweepers clean up all the litter."

Voices

Ayan Saif, who owns a clothing stall
‘We are blamed for littering, but it is visitors who are responsible. We even keep buckets lined with garbage bags. Garbage bins are needed on Hill Road at least for a few more years, until people grow more aware of their surroundings'

A shopkeeper who requested anonymity
‘I have a dustbin next to my stall, but there have been times when I have requested someone to throw their waste in it, only for them to tell me to mind my own business. Maybe installing a public dustbin and imposing fines on litterers will help keep the road clean'

Anna Tony, a non-Bandra resident, who visits Hill Road frequently
‘I always carry plastic or paper waste in my bag, but not everyone does so. We often see things randomly being thrown as people walk by. To help keep Hill Road appealing for shoppers and reduce the burden on cleaners every morning, the installation of dustbins could prove beneficial'

650m
Length of stretch where littering occurs