BMC junks 40 useless ALMs

Mumbai: Taking a stern action against the “incompetent” Advance Locality Mana-gement (ALM) groups, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cancelled the registration of more than 40 ALMs for their failure to carry out waste segregation and disposal at the source. Around 150 ALMs are also in danger of losing their registration. 

According to civic officials, more than 7,000 buildings in the city are affiliated with 719 ALMs, which are registered with the BMC. However, in the civic survey, it was found that waste segregation and installation of composting projects were being implemented at only 30 places by ALMs. Taking a serious note of the violations, the BMC decided to cancel the registration of such ALMs. 

“We have deregistered more than 40 ALMs for not carrying out waste segregation and composting projects at the source. Notices have also been issued to 56 ALMs in 15 wards. The works of 150 ALMs are found to be very unsatisfactory,” said a senior official from the solid waste management (SWM) department. 

According to civic officials, 249 housing societies in nine wards are also in the dock for failing to install vermi-composting units in their premises and instead using that space for other purposes. The BMC has decided to take action against them under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) act.

“It was found that several housing societies have used the space meant for vermi-composting plants for other uses like a garden, garage, office, security cabin, open space etc. Of them, 249 housing societies have been issued a change of user notice under the MRTP act 1966. Complaints will be filed at local police stations against the office bearers of societies,” said a senior civic official.

In 2007, it was made compulsory for newly constructed housing societies, to have their own composting unit, which will segregate and process the garbage. 

Under the MRTP act, officials of housing societies are liable to face three months of imprisonment for not carrying out waste management. In addition to this, a penalty from '2,500 to '10,000 will also be levied on these societies under the municipal act. They will also be charged an additional fine of '100 every day.