Mumbai: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide carried out an early morning surprise inspection of the Kanjurmarg solid waste management project on Wednesday to review the various measures being implemented to prevent foul smell and improve waste-processing operations at the site.

During the nearly 90-minute visit, Bhide inspected key sections of the large-scale waste management facility and took stock of the functioning of different waste treatment and environmental control systems. She also issued instructions regarding operational improvements and efficiency enhancement.

The commissioner visited the waste segregation centre, composting plant, waste-to-energy facility and the bio-reactor landfill area as part of the inspection. Civic officials briefed her on the measures currently being adopted to minimise odour affecting nearby residential areas.

According to the BMC, bio-enzyme-based liquid is being sprayed regularly on garbage to reduce foul smell. Additionally, a misting system has been installed around waste unloading and processing areas to spray aromatic solutions. Officials informed that 11 misting cannon systems are operational across the project site for odour control.

Bhide also reviewed the civic body’s helpline service launched to address complaints related to foul smell from residents living near the Kanjurmarg facility.

Spread across nearly 118 hectares, or around 292 acres, the Kanjurmarg project is one of Mumbai’s major solid waste management facilities. At present, nearly 5,200 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste are processed daily through scientifically managed bio-reactor technology, while another 1,000 metric tonnes are treated using composting methods for manure production.

Officials said methane gas generated during the waste decomposition process is partially used for electricity generation within the project. Excess methane is scientifically burnt to reduce environmental impact and prevent hazardous emissions.

As part of environmental safety measures, soil covering techniques are also being used over waste layers to minimise direct exposure to air and prevent the spread of foul smell and gases. The commissioner inspected these systems and directed officials to maintain strict monitoring of environmental safeguards.

Senior BMC officials, including Deputy Commissioner Prashant Gaikwad and Deputy Commissioner for Solid Waste Management Kiran Dighavkar, were present during the inspection. The visit comes amid ongoing concerns raised by residents in surrounding areas regarding odour and environmental issues linked to the Kanjurmarg waste processing facility.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane once again criticized All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who had earlier called him equal to Osama bin Laden, but now he said that Osama bin Laden has been reborn in Asaduddin Owaisi, and that is why he has such ideas. There is no place for those who reflect such ideas in India. He showed venom in the case of Nida Khan and said that AIMIM had supported Nida Khan, but now as the facts have been exposed, AIMIM has also been exposed. Nitesh Rane, while describing India as a Hindu nation, said that this is a country of gods and goddesses. If someone does not accept Vande Mataram, then he should take his beard and round cap and go to his father’s Pakistan because they will not be tolerated in India. He said that could these people support India while living in Pakistan? Only these people do such things while living in India. Even after comparing Owaisi to Osama bin Laden, Nitesh Rane is sticking to his stance, and Rane has even declared AIMIM a terrorist organization.

Mumbai: As the Mumbai Municipal Corporation prepares to hike parking fees by 40 per cent, Samajwadi Party MLA from Bhiwandi East Raees Sheikh has written to Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, requesting him to review the current parking policy before increasing the fees and revive the defunct Mumbai Parking Authority (MPA). MLA Sheikh has demanded in the letter that the municipality should focus on improving traffic discipline and affordable parking instead of considering parking as a source of revenue generation. In his letter to the commissioner, MLA Raees Sheikh said that before making any changes in parking fees, a comprehensive review of the current parking policy and its implementation should be conducted. Citizens are facing many challenges due to inadequate parking infrastructure, uncontrolled parking on roads, lack of proper enforcement and irregularity of organized parking spaces. Before increasing parking fees, attention should be paid to making parking facilities affordable, transparent and accessible to the common citizen. MLA Raees Sheikh said that increasing fees without proper improvements in infrastructure and management can put unnecessary financial burden on residents, middle-class families, office workers and small traders. Stressing the need for strict enforcement of ‘no parking’ rules in the city, Raees Sheikh explained that traffic congestion due to illegal parking on roads, footpaths and squares is adding to the inconvenience of both pedestrians and motorists. Instead of just increasing parking fees, strict enforcement with better planning and digital monitoring system will help improve traffic discipline. The inefficient Mumbai Parking Authority should be revived so that parking management in the city is handled through a dedicated and accountable mechanism. MLA Raees Sheikh, in a letter to Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, suggested that a special authority could undertake scientific planning, formulate uniform parking policies, coordinate with the traffic police and transport departments and ensure a long-term solution to the growing number of vehicles in Mumbai.