Cleaning spree: Locals remove garbage from Juhu beach

With a motive to obliterate garbage from the Juhu beach, the citizens have collaborated with the BMC and the local corporators to take up a noble initiative to ensure that the beach is kept clean. After the initiative was launched, around 1,800 tonnes of garbage was collected in three days.

Most of the garbage collected during the cleaning drive consisted of plastic bags and bottles.

According to the citizens, the garbage released from the nullahs accumulate near the sea. They feel that it needs to be tackled primarily in order to control the problem of waste being deposited near the beach.

The three NGOs and citizens' group involved in the beach cleaning drive include — the Juhu Citizens Welfare group, the Juhu Soul of the City and Forward 69.

Mehjabeen Barwani, member of Forward 69, said, "Prior to the monsoon, we don't expect so much garbage but we managed to collect around 1,800 tonnes of garbage with the help of the equipment and the labour force. Around 50 citizens came forward to volunteer as supervisors and collect garbage. Three corporators from ward 68,69 and 71 stepped forward to make the beach free of plastic."

The area extending from Ruia Park to Koliwada was cleaned during this drive. Further, a new contractor has been appointed for the beach clean-up as citizens will be monitoring the cleaning drive.

"The waste not only included plastic bags and bottles but also sofa and other household furniture. At least 10 rounds of a truck loaded with garbage was collected every day," she added.