The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to spend Rs 8.25 crore on washing 377 public roads across Mumbai as part of an effort to reduce dust and air pollution. The proposed drive will cover around 677 km of roads over 150 days, excluding the monsoon period.
The plan has come under scrutiny as Mumbai continues to face a 10% water cut, while concerns over water availability and drought conditions persist across Maharashtra. Opposition leaders have questioned the use of water and public money for road washing at a time when residents are being urged to conserve supplies.
Under the proposal submitted to the Standing Committee, tankers fitted with high-pressure jetting systems will be deployed across the BMC’s seven administrative zones. Tankers with capacities of 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 litres will be used to spray roads and suppress dust arising from construction, redevelopment, vehicular movement and industrial activity.
“Separate contractors have been appointed for each zone. The exercise will help curb dust pollution while improving road cleanliness,” claimed the civic official.
However, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena group leader Yashwant Killedar opposed the plan, saying, “While the state government is appealing to people to save water, the ruling BJP is planning to use it for washing roads. Even if non-potable water is used, we will not allow it to be wasted on roads.”
Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi said, “We understand the need to control rising pollution, but where will the water come from? If water can be arranged to wash roads, the same non-potable water could be used for washing clothes, cars and other purposes. We want the BMC administration to explain how it plans to ensure water supply and manage the operation if the appointed contractor fails to procure water.”
Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde said, “We will first hear what the BMC administration has to say about the source of water to be used for washing the roads. A decision can be taken after the administration provides clarity on the matter.”
Mumbai’s seven lakes currently hold 13,68,827 million litres of useful live storage against their combined capacity of 14,47,363 million litres. BMC data indicates that supplies could last until September 5, 2027, if the existing 10% cut continues and reserve storage is maintained.
Source: The Free Press Journal
