Sanitation and hygiene are set to take centre stage in Mumbai this year as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced a stricter regulatory framework to curb unhygienic practices across the city. On Monday, the civic body notified the Solid Waste (Management and Handling), Cleanliness and Sanitation Bylaws, 2025, laying down penalties for a wide range of cleanliness-related violations.
Under the new bylaws, common offences such as spitting in public places will attract a fine of Rs 250, while littering will be penalised at Rs 500. Failure to segregate wet and dry waste at source will invite a fine of Rs 200. Among the most severe penalties is a Rs 25,000 fine per vehicle for the unauthorised transportation or dumping of construction and demolition debris.
The updated regulations identify penalties for 21 different types of violations. These include public urination and defecation, feeding animals or birds in public spaces, washing clothes or utensils in public areas, burning waste, dumping construction debris at unauthorised locations, and failing to clean private premises or adjoining drains. The move signals the civic body’s intent to address persistent sanitation issues that impact public health and the city’s overall liveability.
Beyond enforcement, the emphasis is also on collective responsibility. Citizens are being urged to prioritise cleanliness in their immediate surroundings—from homes and housing societies to workplaces. Building society committees are encouraged to actively monitor hygiene in common areas and issue cautionary communication to residents who fail to comply with basic cleanliness norms.
Common passages and shared spaces, officials stress, should remain sanitary and not turn into informal dumping zones. Adequate waste bins, clean storage areas, and a sense of ownership among residents are essential to sustaining cleanliness. The aim is also to eliminate visible signs of neglect, such as paan stains and habitual spitting, that have long marred Mumbai’s buildings.
While waste segregation has been mandated, concerns remain about the mixing of segregated waste during collection, an issue civic authorities are expected to address. Ultimately, the goal is clear: a cleaner, healthier, and more sanitary Mumbai must become a top civic priority.
Source: Mid-day
