The residents mentioned that despite making multiple complaints, no action had been taken for a long time. “We had raised this concern several times with ward officials. But our complaints fell on deaf ears. Thank you, mid-day, for highlighting the garbage problem in Chandivli
Mounds of trash discarded by slumdwellers and passers-by on Vijay Fire Road in Chandivli on July 7. PIC/NIMESH DAVE
After mid-day highlighted the plight of frustrated Chandivli residents disgusted with piles of garbage that had piled up in their area, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) acted, initiating deep cleaning operations.
Residents express gratitude
Srividhya K, a resident, said, “We are grateful to mid-day for reporting on this issue. Today, we saw some action. An excavator was used to clear the waste — an indicator of how much had piled up. While the authorities were already aware of the situation, it seems that it took a media report to elicit a response from the BMC.”
The same spot after mid-day shed light on the situation. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR
The residents mentioned that despite making multiple complaints, no action had been taken for a long time. “We had raised this concern several times with ward officials. But our complaints fell on deaf ears. Thank you, mid-day, for highlighting the garbage problem in Chandivli. Your report has kick-started cleaning activities,” said Vijaya Koteeswaran, another resident.
The civic body’s deep cleaning drive, which took place on Tuesday
Locals hope that the cleaning activities are sustained and a permanent solution is found. Jitendra Datta, another resident, also thanked this newspaper, saying, “The article truly reflects our reality — overflowing garbage, a pervasive foul stench, and zero accountability. We’re grateful someone is finally voicing what we live with every day. I hope this sparks real, lasting change.”
Activist suggests solutions
Mandeep Singh Makkar, founder, Chandivli Citizens Welfare Association, said, “Why is the BMC not proactive, reacting only after the media highlights issues? The civic body has to find a permanent solution because garbage piles up the same day it’s cleared. We suspect that some contractors and illegal hawkers are responsible for dumping garbage at these locations. The BMC needs to identify such people and take appropriate action to stop them. BMC needs to review the work of self-help groups who are paid out of public funds and take action against them if they are not carrying out their duties as per their scope of work,” said.
Vijaya Koteeswaran, Chandivli resident
Stating that efforts to sanitise the area go in vain as slumdwellers in Chandivli lack basic civic sense, the junior supervisor of L ward, Rajiv Gaikwad, told mid-day, “We conduct deep cleaning activities frequently at various areas in Chandivli. But as soon as we are done, slum dwellers and workers from nearby smaller industries dump debris and garbage. We have issued notices to self-help groups of the Swachh Mumbai Prabodhan Abhiyan and have directed them to start collecting garbage and maintaining cleanliness within slum areas to ensure trash isn’t dumped on the streets outside chawls and in front of high-rises. We have also directed them to create awareness among slum dwellers about the diseases that are caused due to littering.”
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