BMC’s anti-litter laws await clearance from citizens

MUMBAI: Here’s your chance to have a say in the fight against litter bugs. You can write to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) with your suggestions, and even objections, to the anti-litter bylaws passed by the corporators on Thursday.

As per the BMC Act (1888), the municipal authority must take into consideration the common man’s suggestions and objections, based on which it could reassess the laws, which prescribe stricter fines than ever before.

Additional Municipal Commissioner RA Rajeev said the BMC would publish the bylaws in city newspapers.

It would also mention where the citizens could read the text of the bylaws and also the addresses to which Mumbaikars could send their letters.

Rajeev said that letters could be addressed to him or to the Chief Engineer (Solid Waste Management) RR Markandey, after the announcement in newspapers. The new bylaws have increased tenfold the fine for littering.

The fine for spitting has been raised from Rs50 to Rs500. Some fines have touched five-figures: housing societies will be fined Rs10,000 for littering public spaces (footpaths, streets) adjacent to their premises.

The BMC is increasing the number of people enforcing the bylaws on city streets. It expects to put 400 people on the field, up from the current 80.