Mumbai News: BMC Launches Special Cleanliness Drive At Historic Playgrounds, Schools From April 1

Mumbai: The BMC has initiated a dedicated cleanliness drive for several of the city's historic playgrounds, scheduled from April 1 to 4. Following this, the campaign will be extended further to all civic-run and government schools, educational institutions, as well as private schools, starting from April 7 upto to next 15 days.

The focus of this drive will be to clean up spaces that have been encroached upon or are plagued by the constant issue of solid waste dumping.

As part of its ongoing cleanliness drive, the civic body’s primary focus will be on Azad Maidan, Cross Maidan, Oval Maidan, Shivaji Park, Somaiya Maidan, Andheri Sports Complex, Kora Kendra in Borivali, and Mulund Sports Complex.

In addition to these eight key locations, open grounds in private, municipal, and government schools will also be included in the campaign. During this period the cleanliness drive will take place daily from 9 AM to 12 PM, Monday through Friday.

The daily drive will be planned by the respective civic wards. Each ward will prioritise areas that require cleanliness during this drive. This includes playgrounds, school premises, parking lots, waste collection points, and footpaths.

The BMC's Solid waste management department, school administrations, social organisations, National Service Scheme (NSS), school students (from 8th grade onward), college students, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), housing societies, and socially active citizens will all be actively involved.

The drive will use advanced equipment like mechanical sweepers, waste collectors, misting machines, dumpers, JCBs, water tankers, and fire equipment. It will focus on sweeping, removing overgrown vegetation, collecting construction debris, and clearing unauthorised items such as banners and posters.

Kiran Dighavkar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (SWM), said, "This drive aims to clean and reclaim key grounds in Mumbai, which are often victims of waste and debris dumping due to ongoing civil works. We will also run an awareness campaign to discourage waste dumping on these open spaces."