Mumbai News: BMC To Strengthen Nuisance Detection Squad As Clean-Up Marshals Discontinued From April 5

Mumbai: Since the Clean-up Marshal will be discontinued from April 5, the BMC has decided to strengthen its Nuisance Detection (ND) squad. Currently, 97 out of the total 118 positions in this squad are vacant, as clean-up marshals were previously assigned to penalise individuals caught spitting, defecating, or littering in public spaces. The civic body plans to fill these vacant posts soon to ensure continued enforcement and action against such nuisance activities.

Earlier, the BMC had an ND squad with five to six staff members in each civic ward. This squad was responsible for enforcing cleanliness and penalising people engaging in nuisance activities like littering, spitting, or defecating in public spaces. However, in 2007, the civic body introduced the clean-up marshal scheme, replacing the ND squads.

Over time, as some staff members retired, the vacant posts were not filled, leading to a reduction in the number of staff in these squads. Now, with the discontinuation of the clean-up marshal scheme, the BMC plans to strengthen the ND squad once again to ensure proper enforcement of cleanliness rules.

"We have re-launched clean-up marshals several times in the past few years, but numerous complaints from citizens accusing the marshals of overcharging and extorting money have forced us to discontinue the scheme. However, there is still a need to appoint staff who will monitor and take action against offenders. We previously had 18 people in our ND squad, and we will soon begin recruitment to fill the 97 vacant posts," said a senior civic official.

Meanwhile, the BMC has proposed a set of revised solid waste management bylaws aimed at enforcing stricter public cleanliness standards across the city.

Under the new guidelines, the penalties for littering and spitting on roads have been increased to Rs 500 and Rs 250, respectively, up from the previous fines of Rs 200. Additionally, bathing in public spaces will now incur a penalty of Rs 300, up from Rs 100.

More severe fines have been introduced for public sanitation violations: urinating and defecating in open spaces will attract a fine of Rs 500, up from Rs 100. Furthermore, in an effort to improve waste segregation, the BMC has proposed a penalty of Rs 200 for individual waste generators and Rs 1,000 for bulk waste generators caught delivering non-segregated waste.