Santacruz East residents flag rat menace, illegal dumping despite BMC garbage pickups

Rats scurry about on a pile of garbage in Kadamvadi, Santacruz East

Murders of crows and mischiefs of rats is what the road opposite Nagrik Stores in Kadamvadi, Santacruz East, has been seeing day and night for the past two years. The gathering of the birds and rodents occurs at an open dumping spot on the road, which has been unofficially created over time.

While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) cleans up the area, residents complain that repeated efforts to seek help from the authorities to get garbage management done at the spot have gone in vain. mid-day contacted the BMC's H East ward, under which the area in question comes, but received no response by press time.

[popcorn number="2 years" desc="Time issue has persisted" class="Default"]

The spot at night, when rodents run wild in the area

Residents' efforts

Ivan Pais, a resident who has been in contact with the BMC constantly regarding local issues, said, "When we noticed the issue about two years ago, we talked to the BMC about it, and they were and have been very cooperative by picking up garbage, but that hasn't solved the issue. Initially, we had also gotten flower pots installed with funds from our residents' association; but as time passed, they just became a part of the garbage, with rats infesting them."

Planters installed by residents in 2024 to keep the spot clean

Pais has been talking to the civic authorities and representatives to get the situation under control. "We also have had meetings with our corporator, Sagun Naik, to request that the illegal dumping of garbage and furniture stops, but those efforts have also gone only so far, as there is a lack of civic sense as well. We even requested our MLA in person and in writing to stop this, but we didn't hear back from them either."

Infestation woes

According to Santacruz East locals, the infestation has become worse as the garbage dumping has gone on for years. "I wonder how those who have houses nearby and restaurants on that lane have not taken any action themselves as I can hardly believe that the rats are limited to the road," said a resident.

Ivan Pais, Santacruz East resident. Pics/By Special Arrangement

Pais also pointed out that they have not seen any BMC marshals in the area either. "Since the civic body announced that its clean-up marshals would be patrolling the city, we have barely seen any one of them in Santacruz East. We just want the authorities to help us keep our area clean."