November 06, 2025: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) 5% property tax rebate scheme, aimed at encouraging Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs) to treat waste at source, has seen minimal participation since its launch in 2020–21. Out of 2,776 large residential and commercial BWGs in Mumbai, only 784 process wet waste on-site, while the rest depend on the civic body for disposal. Despite the financial incentive, only 12 housing societies have availed of the rebate so far.
The low uptake is attributed to high costs, maintenance challenges, and complaints about odour from waste processing units. A 5% tax rebate is available to housing societies that use treated water from Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), compost segregated waste, and implement rainwater harvesting. Yet, eight years after on-site treatment was made mandatory, compliance remains poor.
According to civic data, of the 12 participating societies, five are located in Parel, two each in Dongri and Andheri (West), and one each in Bandra (West), Goregaon, and Kandivali. The K (West) ward, which includes Andheri (West), has the highest number of BWGs—392 in total.
Dhaval Shah from the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association (LOCA) said, “Many societies do not approach the BMC because of bureaucratic red tape. Moreover, operating waste processing plants—whether manual or automatic—requires skilled manpower and machinery, which are costly. Additionally, neighbouring societies often complain about foul odour, leading many societies to shut down their plants within three to four months.”
Vinod Gholap, a resident of an MHADA society in Charkop, added, “Hardly any societies continue waste processing within their premises. The process is complicated and expensive, requiring the cooperation of society members, and even watchmen are often unwilling to handle the work.”
A senior civic official admitted, “Many societies are unwilling to continue with waste processing as they consider the rebate too small. If there is any demand for an increase in the rebate, it can be discussed.”
BWGs—establishments generating over 100 kg of waste daily—contribute significantly to Mumbai’s 6,900 metric tonnes of daily waste, most of which is sent to the Kanjurmarg landfill for processing.
Source: The Free Press Journal
