A day after Mid-Day reported the dumping of construction debris along the Krishna Nagar nullah in Marol, Andheri, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sprang into action. By Friday, nearly 90 per cent of the debris had been cleared from the site.
This prompt response brought partial relief to local residents. While many expressed appreciation, others remained cautiously optimistic.
“We thank Mid-Day for highlighting our issues—it’s clearly made a difference. Although some debris is still left, the majority of the nullah is now clean. With minimal waste remaining, we’re hopeful it won’t clog even if it rains heavily,” said Vishal Raut, a resident of Andheri.
However, not all residents were entirely convinced. Kamal Shah commented, “We had been raising complaints for days with no result. Now, just after one article, the authorities respond. It shows that public and media pressure work. But we’ll wait to see if they finish the job properly or if this is just a token effort.”
When questioned, a senior BMC official acknowledged the delay. “There’s significant pressure on us due to monsoon preparedness. While some debris remains, it contains no rubbish. The rest will be removed shortly.”
Local activists believe the solution lies in consistent enforcement. Advocate Godfrey Pimenta, trustee of the Watchdog Foundation, suggested, “Rather than spending crores on pre-monsoon cleanups, the BMC should inspect nullahs fortnightly and impose blanket fines if waste is found. This will encourage civic responsibility.”
He added that installing mesh barriers could help. “Building a wall is impractical, but a mesh could easily prevent garbage from entering. Moreover, contractors from nearby construction sites must be held accountable for illegal dumping.”
The incident underscores the power of the press—and the ongoing need for sustainable civic solutions.
Source: Mid-day
