News Continuous Bureau | Mumbai
In a significant stride towards fostering a cleaner Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai
Municipal Corporation (BMC) Solid Waste Management Department successfully
concluded its Special Cleanliness Drive across playgrounds and schools in all
administrative wards. Conducted from 7th April 2025, the initiative focused on
elevating sanitation standards at key playgrounds such as Azad Maidan, Shivaji
Park, and Oval Maidan, as well as at municipal, government, and private
schools.
The intensive campaign ran for 9 days in schools, emphasizing thorough
cleaning of educational premises, parking areas, waste collection zones, and
surrounding footpaths. The operation saw an impressive deployment of 9,289
personnel, supported by heavy-duty equipment including 59 JCBs, 89 dumpers,
and 124 litter pickers. To ensure comprehensive coverage, 72 water tankers
(each with a 5,000-liter capacity) and 267 small collection vehicles (SCVs) were
also deployed.
The results underscored the scale and effectiveness of the effort. A total of
137.05 tons of garbage, 66.9 tons of odd articles, and 71.48 tons of debris were
collected from around 257 schools, marking a significant improvement in hygiene
and environmental quality. The drive was carried out in strict adherence to a
detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which included activities such as
removal of overgrown vegetation, inspection and cleaning of litter bins, removal
of unauthorized parking waste, and meticulous before-and-after documentation
to evaluate impact.
The active involvement of students, NGOs, housing societies, and citizen groups
made this initiative a model for future civic efforts. The successful completion of
the Special Cleanliness Drive reaffirms Mumbai’s dedication to enhancing public
cleanliness through coordinated action and strategic planning.