Solid Waste Management of Mumbai, India

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Introduction

Mumbai the financial capital of India and capital of the Indian State of Maharashtra is one of the most developed cities in India. It is also the most populous city in India and the fourth most populous city in the world. The total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million it includes cities of Navi Mumbai and Thane. It lies on the west coast and was named an Alpha world city. It is the richest city in India and has the highest GDP of any city in South, West or Central Asia. [1]

Figure1: Gateway of INDIA

Figure 2: CST railway station

Municipal Corporation

The Brihanmumbai Mahanagar Palika is the civic body that governs the city of Mumbai. It is also the richest municipal organisation in India with an annual budget which is even more than that of some of the small states of India. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) or Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) was established under the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act, 1888 and is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city and some suburbs of Mumbai making it the largest civic organisation of the country. [1], [2].

Figure 3: BMC office in MUMBAI

Key Services provided by BMC [3]

• Public health and Hospitals

• Primary Education

• Street lighting

• Sewage treatment and disposal

• Garbage disposal and street cleanliness

• Cemeteries and Crematoriums

• Markets, Shops and Establishments

• Security

Waste Generation

With the population of the city that is ever increasing and that too at a rapid rate, the solid waste generation in Mumbai has also increased rapidly. The BMC looks after the waste generated from the residential and commercial areas along with the waste generated from areas such as institution, hospitals, and construction sites. [4]

Mumbai generates waste to the tune of approximately or more than 7000 tonnes per day. The waste consists of:

• 5000 tonnes of mixed waste (bio-degradable and recyclable)

• 2000 tonnes of debris and silt.

It is estimated that by 2014 such waste will aggregate 9,000tonnes per day due to increase in the city's population.

Average Generation of Waste by a Citizen of Mumbai

According to a survey the generation of waste by an individual depends on the socio-economic conditions. It differs from person to person or family to family. For example, according to the survey a rich family is generating nearly four to five kg of mixed waste per day compared to a middle class family that generates waste between one to three kg of mixed waste per day.

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