To keep waste management bodies on toes,civic body tightens rules

“In order to strengthen the functioning of ALMs,we have revised and tightened the existing rules and introduced more efficient measures,” said B P Patil,Chief Engineer Solid Waste Management (SWM). This will also include nomination of nodal officers for day-to-day interaction with the ALM bodies,said another official. Besides,core groups will be formed to interact with the BMC officials,he added.

Under the new rules,the ALM representatives should meet ward officers,officials of solid waste management (SWM) and other local officers and corporators in their respective ward offices on a regular basis. “We have directed ward officers or their representatives to hold regular meetings with ALM bodies,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashish Singh.

In Bandra west and Mahim,which has over 30 ALM bodies,only half have been functional on a regular basis,said Bulu Saldanha,member of G North Citizen’s Forum. Some ALMs such as Safai Shakti in Mahim which took off really well initially,does not see much activity now,said Saldanha. There are issues such as disputes between members,lack of co-ordination among officials which often lead to disbanding of ALMs,she said.

“Mostly the lack of co-operation from BMC officials has made working of ALMs ineffective,said Raj Kumar Sharma member of ALMANAC (Advanced Locality Management & Networking Action Committee) of Chembur. Chembur-based ALMs have done well as the groups here are very strong and enthusiastic,said Sharma. The sustainability of ALMs depends on the persistence of members,says Sharma. “Most of the times,members only unite for major issues while the day-to-day workings of any area are not given equal importance,” said Saldnaha.

When ALMs were formed,segregation of waste was the key issue which has not got enough attention so far. “Now we have started meeting ALMs to address the issue of segregation of waste at source which is still not being given priority,” said  B T Kapse,assistant municipal commissioner P South ward. Mostly issues like demolition of illegal structures,illegal hawkers etc take precedence over waste management,said Kapse.

ALMs as a concept was introduced by BMC in 1996 and there are over 750 such bodies in Mumbai. The segregation of waste and keeping localities clean is the main aim behind setting of ALMs.