The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced a new digital system to monitor construction and demolition (C&D) waste generated across Mumbai. The online platform aims to track debris from the stage of generation to its final disposal location, helping curb illegal dumping and improve waste management practices in the city.
The newly launched Mumbai Debris Control and Tracking System (MDCTS) will cover not only large-scale construction and redevelopment projects but also individual citizens carrying out home repairs and renovations. Builders, contractors, government agencies, infrastructure bodies and other stakeholders will also come under the monitoring framework.
The registration process for the system began on Monday. Through the portal, the civic body will collect details about the quantity of debris generated, its source, authorised disposal location and vehicles involved in transportation. The system will also enable real-time monitoring of debris-carrying vehicles to identify route deviations and prevent unauthorised dumping.
Residents undertaking minor renovation work will also need to follow the new process. The BMC has proposed a “Debris on Call” category for households generating smaller quantities of construction waste, generally below 300 metric tonnes. Activities such as wall demolition, flooring replacement, bathroom or kitchen renovation and similar repair work will require debris disposal through the designated mechanism instead of dumping waste on roads or open spaces.
For developers and builders, registration will be connected with project details available through the AutoDCR system. They will have to submit information about expected waste generation and disposal plans, which will be integrated with the BMC’s existing approval framework.
Transporters handling construction debris will also be required to register their vehicles and install Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring Systems (VTMS), a GPS-based tracking mechanism. The BMC will monitor vehicle movement and verify whether debris reaches the approved unloading or recycling facility.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said the tracking mechanism is similar to the GPS-based monitoring system used for supervising desilting activities. Deputy Municipal Commissioner Kiran Dighavkar said violations, including illegal dumping and unauthorised transportation, could attract penalties of up to Rs 25,000 per vehicle.
The system comes amid growing concerns over Mumbai’s rising construction waste generation. The city produces more than 8,000 tonnes of C&D waste daily, while existing treatment facilities at Dahisar and Shilphata can process only around 1,200 tonnes per day. The gap has contributed to debris being dumped illegally on roads, vacant plots, drains, creeks and environmentally sensitive areas.
Source: The Indian Express
