Dumping in stormwater drains polluting sea: BMC

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said that most  garbage that reaches the sea is due to the dumping of solid waste in stormwater drains by citizens, especially in slum areas. The civic body on Friday filed an affidavit pertaining to debris at Marine Drive. While the civic body stated that 107 outfalls of stormwater drains (SWD) in the city are being directly pumped into the Arabian Sea, the petitioner has contended that most sewage is not treated and that water should not be released directly into the sea, but at a safe distance from the coast.

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), during the last hearing, stated that unprocessed sewage is being released into the sea. “The flow from open SWD is discharged either into nullahs, culverts, creeks and the sea. The open SWD becomes an eyesore due to the dumping of garbage by citizens, especially in slum areas and creates unhygienic conditions,” read the BMC affidavit.

The BMC also highlighted that there are 107 major outfalls (SWD) in the city, which drain directly into the Arabian Sea with four at Mahim creek and four at Mahul creek. There are 29 outfalls in western suburbs draining directly into the sea and 14 draining into the Mithi River..

The BMC stated that regular desilting is done.  “The BMC has conveniently blamed citizens in the affidavit and mentioned long-term measures, but what about immediate measures,” said Shehzad Naqvi, from Citizens’ Circle for Social Welfare and Education. As per affidavit, out of 2,671 mn litres of sewage per day, 2,016 mn litre are treated.