BMC removes trash that was collected from nullah during clean-up over three weeks ago but dumped on road; residents say they want net around water body
The area after the garbage was removed on Tuesday. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Residents of Mankhurd’s Cheetah Camp can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has removed the solid waste and silt that had been left out in the open for weeks.
The 300-metric-tonne waste was extracted from a clogged nullah in the area. Although it had been removed from the drain earlier, it was left piled up by the roadside for over a month. Recent heavy rains had caused the waste to wash onto the road, worsening the situation.
The four-day cleanup drive was carried out on June 28, 29 and July 1, 2, 2025, following months of persistent appeals from resident Asif Sayyed, other locals, and Dharmesh Barai from the Environment Life Foundation. They had been urging the authorities to act since January.
Sayyed said, “They’ve finally understood how unbearable the stench was for those of us living nearby. They managed to clean it all up in just one day. They could’ve done it earlier, but at least it’s done now, better late than never.”
Barai, who had been in regular contact with the authorities, added, “I just hope they now install the net or grill we requested around the nullah. It would prevent people from dumping garbage in the first place. If this is delayed, those unaware of the consequences will keep polluting it, and we’ll be back to square one.”
Yogesh Mogal, a junior engineer with the BMC, told mid-day, “The clean-up took place on July 28 and 29. All the silt and garbage have been taken to a dumping ground and properly disposed of. We are considering the residents’ requests for a grill covering the nullah, but no process has been set in motion yet, as the grill might be tampered with or used for dumping garbage. We are looking for the best possible solution.”
Asked what the civic body is doing to promote awareness, he added, “Spreading awareness about these actions falls under the ward’s responsibility, and we have conveyed the information to them as well. The contractor will also face serious action for delaying the work for so long.”
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