Draft Solid Waste Management bylaws 2025: BMC receives over 370 suggestions, objections from people

In what marks the first revision of the existing bylaws in the past 19 years, the BMC on April 1 proposed a revised set of SWM bylaws for the city. In the proposed set of regulations the BMC has introduced user fees for SWM charges — announced by Mumbai’s municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani while presenting the civic budget earlier in February. Besides, the BMC has also increased the penalty for littering, garbage disposal, defecating, urinating and bathing in public spaces.

Ahead of implementing the revised bylaws, the civic body opened the draft to suggestions and objections from the public until May 31 following which a public hearing will be called.

Data furnished by the BMC shows that the proposed revisions have drawn at least 376 suggestions and objections until Monday morning. Of the total responses received, the civic body has received 50 responses through email while nearly 326 responses have been registered by residents using the civic body’s WhatsApp chatbot, Civis.

According to officials, several suggestions pertain to the proposal to levy an additional tax for SWM services under the new bylaws.

Previously, the proposal had also drawn flak from politicians across party lines. Besides, residents have also submitted suggestions to improve sanitation across the city ranging from installation of additional dustbins, increased cleanliness drives as well as stricter enforcement of the existing penalties.

Amid the ongoing initiative, Kiran Dighavkar, deputy municipal commissioner (SWM), is set to convene townhall sessions with citizens from Wednesday (April 23) onwards.