Mumbai: Nearly after a decade the BMC has revamped its debris on call services by introducing a centralised helpline for the city and suburbs and integrating it into the MYBMC app. The online service will be soon made available 24/7, offering free collection for up to 500 kilograms of household and small-scale debris.

Notably, the BMC will be the first municipal corporation in the country to offer such a service digitally. Additionally, two state-of-the-art plants, with a combined processing capacity of up to 1,200 tonnes, will be established to handle the debris. The civic body had earlier introduced a helpline for debris collection in 2014, but the initiative failed to gain traction among citizens.

The BMC has long struggled to curb the illegal dumping of debris on roads and public spaces, particularly during nighttime when unidentified individuals discard construction waste. To address this issue, the civic body has formed special squads at the ward level to monitor and take action against such activities in their respective areas.

In an earlier attempt to tackle the problem, the BMC introduced Debris on call services, enabling residents to have construction waste collected and disposed of for a nominal fee. However, illegal dumping persists at multiple locations, with offenders often going undetected during night hours.

To enhance accessibility and encourage wider usage, the BMC has now decided to integrate this service into the MyBMC app, making it available online alongside the existing helpline.

Citizens can request services by selecting their location on the app, which will notify a Junior Supervisor (JS) for a site inspection. After assessing the debris and determining charges, the details will be shared via the app.

Payment can be made online through the app, with receipts provided digitally and via WhatsApp. Offline payments can be made in cash to the JS, who will issue a receipt. Once payment is confirmed, debris will be collected within 48 hours, offering a streamlined and efficient solution to unauthorised dumping.

The sand-like byproducts generated from the debris will be repurposed for manufacturing non-structural items such as paver blocks, dividers, pavement stones, and benches. This responsibility has been entrusted to the contractors managing the process.

Helpline: city and eastern suburbs - toll free number 1800-202-6364

western suburbs - 1800-210-9976

The helpline numbers will be available from 8 am to 8 pm

No charges for collection of debris upto 500 kg.

M/s Metro Waste Handling Pvt Ltd has been appointed for the collection and processing of debris from Colaba to Sion and Kurla to Mulund. They have established a plant with a capacity of up to 600 tonnes per day in Daighar village, Shilphata.

Similarly, M/s AG Enviro Infra Pvt Ltd has been appointed for the Bandra to Dahisar region, setting up a plant with an additional capacity of 600 tonnes per day at Kokanipada, Dahisar.