Clean-India drive loses steam as people leave Mumbai for holidays

As 2014 draws to a close, the clean-India drive, which started in the city on October 2, seems to be losing steam gradually.

Reason? Several active citizens, who take part in the shramdaan every Saturday, along with the BMC, between 11am and 1pm, are currently out of the city on holiday.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are crucial with respect to garbage accumulation as certain locations in the city, such as Gateway of India and Juhu beach, see huge crowds.

The civic body, however, thinks it's only a low phase that will last a couple of days. "The drive will gain momentum again once the New Year starts," assured Prakash Patil, deputy municipal commissioner, solid waste management department of the BMC.

About the garbage that gets accumulated in public places after New Year's Eve, Patil said the litter isn't much but, if required, civic body will deploy extra manpower to clear the mess.

However, another senior civic official said the response of the political class is far from encouraging when it comes to implementation of the drive. "Elected representatives are supposed to motivate people in their areas to come out and take part in the drive. But why will they do that when the drive is only a photo opportunity for them?" the official asked.

"BMC needs people's support to make the drive a success. Citizens need to cooperate with us."

The BMC will put up high-powered lights on prominent locations in the city, such as Chowpatty, on December 31. The purpose is to keep a check on those locations which are visited by thousands of people on New Year's Eve to see fireworks.