BMC fails to make clean sweep of garbage drive

MUMBAI, August 3: Yet another cleanliness drive has come, gone and slipped by the notice of citizens. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporat...

MUMBAI, August 3: Yet another cleanliness drive has come, gone and slipped by the notice of citizens. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation8217;s BMC8217;s month-long drive to clean Mumbai of garbage, kicked off on July 1, has flopped as usual, with the city looking no cleaner than it does.

Something that Mayor Hareshwar Patil admitted to. But, he has also found reasons 8220;beyond anyone8217;s control8221; to attribute the drive8217;s failure to. The drive was launched after the Mayor occupied the chair as he wished to rid the city of garbage. It was kicked off in the absence of groundwork or campaigning by the BMC, and private organisations weren8217;t even invited to participate.

This drive is no different from those launched on August 1 to ensure a clean-up in time for Indepedence Day. Till date, the BMC, in particular the mayors, have zeroed in on garbage thrice, the first being in January 1997 by the then Mayor Vishakha Raut.

The garbage the BMC claims to be clearing up may not even includes debris, or building waste. Yet, Patil touted that as an excuse. 8220;Although the Standing Committee had approved a proposal for removal of debris, the issue was put on hold after the Bombay High Court issued a stay order. So we could not issue work orders, with the result that heaps of debris which needs to be cleared immediately are rotting,8221; he explained recently.

Patil also blamed the code of conduct that came into force on July 11 for having stymied plans8217;. Due to the model code, the administration did not receive enough support from corporators, he claimed. 8220;The work involves interaction between corporators, civic officers and citizens. It could be termed a poll gimmick,8221; he said.

In a general body meeting last fortnight, corporators too had raised the issue, demanding that the Mayor speak to the Election Commissioner and permit corporators to accompany civic staff in their wards to ensure that garbage is at least collected and routine works carried out. The administration had even purchased 90 dumpers for the purpose, which have now been put on the job.

What has been a success, at least partially, has been the tree plantation drive, launched alongside the cleanliness drive with the aim of planting two lakh trees. 8220;Some 80,000 saplings have so far been purchased by the general public and private organisations,8221; said Patil proudly. Civic sources added that due to the poor survival rate of saplings, the BMC has now decided to buy trees which are three or four years old, mainly from Gujarat.