First floating trash broom at Irla pumping station installed

MUMBAI: To tackle the problem of garbage in water bodies, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started installing floating trash brooms. The broom will help to collect garbage like thermocol, plastic, and other waste material from water bodies and will also prevent garbage entering the sea.

The officials from civic body said that all the seven trash brooms will be installed by June 2 and first has already been installed at Irla pumping station. The other locations which are finalized for the installation will be Dahisar, Poisar, Oshiwara, Mithi River, Mogra Nullah, and Lovegrove pumping station. Kolkata has also adapted the concept of trash brooms and bought the set of mega brooms for Rs 1.1 crore.

V Khankar, the BMC’s chief engineer of stormwater drains (SWD) said, “The initiative will help to prevent garbage entering into the seas. The trash brooms will be placed close to the locations like rivers and nullah. We hope that after installing the trash broom, this will not occur in future.”

BJP MLA Ameet Satam, who was present during the installation of the Irla pumping station trash broom said, “This was much needed and I am glad that the civic body has implemented the suggestion. Just beach cleaning is not a solution and it was essential that steps were taken to arrest garbage at source. We are also working on a comprehensive beach cleaning policy for both Juhu and Versova,” said Satam.