Nearly a year after it issued work order in this regard, the BMC has finally started cleaning Girgaum Chowpatty using a modern machine.
Imported from Germany, the machine is being used to clean nearly half of the 2.25 km-long shore as part of the corporation's seven-year plan to maintain the shore. The Rs3.76 crore contract was issued in November last year.
As per officials, the corporation is now able to clean 1.25 lakh sq metre areas within just four hours. The remaining 1 lakh sq metre area needs to be cleaned manually.
An official requesting anonymity informed that the machine has been a huge boon for the civic body, saying: "Earlier, it would take us at least three hours longer to cover the area. But now, work can be done faster and effectively.
This means we can ensure the beach is clean before people turn up at the shore during crowded evening hours."
Elaborating on the machine's 6-inch blades, the official said: "After the blades pierce the layer, waste thrown up is filtered through a net fitted in the machine. Waste is then collected in a compactor for transportation to dump yards."
Besides Girgaum, Mumbai has five other often-frequented beaches – Dadar, Versova, Juhu, Aksa and Gorai – which cover a total length of 140 kms. Meanwhile, the BMC has appealed that residents participate in the cleanliness drive and that they segregate waste generated at the household-level.
BMC has been plying the machine round-the-clock in three shifts throughout the week, barring a few hours when the shore is crowded. The civic body has also deployed 12 personnel to maintain the beach clean in two shifts each, while at night, staff is deployed based on requirement. Around 6,000 kgs waste (including solid waste and floating refuse) is generated at the beach daily.
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