Mumbai residents' WhatsApp alert sparks BMC beach clean-up at Gorai

Civic workers clear marine litter from Culvem beach in Gorai after residents flagged the issue through a WhatsApp group. Pics/By Special Arrangement

A WhatsApp message from residents was all it took to set a beach clean-up in motion at Culvem in Gorai on Friday, after monsoon rains and high tide washed large amounts of marine litter onto the rocky shoreline.

The clean-up was carried out by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) with the support of the local corporator after members of the Gorai Gaothan Panchayat flagged the issue on a WhatsApp group that includes residents, civic officials and elected representatives.

Residents said the group has become an effective platform for reporting civic issues, helping authorities respond more quickly than before.

Why Culvem beach is different

>> Rocky shoreline makes cleaning difficult
>> High tide regularly brings in floating marine waste
>> Unlike Gorai beach, it is not cleaned daily

Voices

Residents
"We have a WhatsApp group where we highlight issues. We post about everything, from roads to beaches. I shared photos of the beach a few days ago, and the civic authorities in the group saw them and took action. It is us just taking responsibility for our own area."
Kenny Frankson, Culvem resident

Gorai Gaothan Panchayat
"After the post was shared on Thursday, we felt it was imperative to get the beach cleaned before the rains intensified. With the help of our corporator, the BMC cleaned the beach successfully. The main problem is that every high tide brings fresh garbage ashore. Gorai beach is cleaned every day, but Culvem is rocky, making the task more difficult. If every ward had such a communication platform, coordination between citizens and authorities would become much smoother."
Rossi D'Souza, member, Gorai Gaothan Panchayat