BMC plans to form 24×7 helpline service for debris collection

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed a 24×7 toll-free helpline number, which will make sure of the proper disposal of construction debris. The helpline will also help contractors to manufacture saleable items such as paver blocks, road dividers and benches. 20 per cent of the recycled items will be handover to BMC while the contractor can sell the rest.

The civic body is planning to set up the plant for processing construction debris of the city at the old pumping station site near Kelkar College in Mulund and eastern suburbs. For western suburbs, the contractor has to make use of private land. The two construction debris plants will have a capacity of 600 tonnes per day. Mumbai generates 12,000 tonnes of construction debris on a daily basis.

Citizens can dial the toll-free number to register complaints regarding illegal or unclaimed debris. If the debris is more than one metric tonne, the generator has to pay the requisite charges for collecting it.

According to Ashok Khaire, deputy commissioner of BMC, “The contract will be given for 20 years and the last day for bidding is September 20. Three companies have shown interest till now and we plan to start the facility soon. The BMC will provide no funds to the contractor but will buy the 20 per cent of recycled items. The contractor should also ensure that 100 per cent of the construction debris is collected whether it’s lying on roads, narrow lanes or any public places.”