The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sanctioned Rs 3.64 crore for two unmanned electric boats to remove floating garbage from the waters surrounding Sassoon Dock and Jamshedji Port in south Mumbai.
The remotely operated vessels will mechanically collect plastic, debris and other floating waste, forming part of the civic body’s efforts to introduce technology-driven solutions for marine waste management along the city’s coastline.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has approved the initiative, while the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Department is working on the tender conditions. The bidding process is expected to begin once the necessary preparations are completed.
The two boats will be stationed at Sassoon Dock and Jamshedji Port. Their deployment follows the introduction of two similar unmanned electric vessels at the Gateway of India and Badhwar Park in May.
According to Colaba BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar, the existing boats collect approximately 80 to 90 kg of floating waste every day. The collected material is subsequently segregated, with recyclable waste sent for further processing.
Narwekar said remotely controlled vessels can make the removal of floating garbage more efficient than depending entirely on manual collection methods. The initiative is also expected to help reduce plastic and other debris in Mumbai’s coastal waters while improving the cleanliness of heavily visited waterfront locations.
The electric boats are designed for remote operation with an estimated range of about 500 metres. They primarily run on batteries and feature solar panels that provide additional power during operations. Their unmanned design also enables waste collection without requiring workers to enter the water to retrieve floating material.
The BMC is considering extending the technology to additional waterfront locations across south Mumbai after the new vessels are deployed.
The wider rollout is intended to strengthen marine waste management, tackle floating plastic and debris, and improve the condition of frequently used coastal areas. The move also reflects the civic body’s increasing reliance on mechanised and technology-based methods for addressing Mumbai’s environmental and sanitation challenges.
Source: Mumbai Live
