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Maharashtra

Swachh Survekshan 2025–26: BMC Calls For Public Participation To Improve Mumbai’s Cleanliness Score

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Mumbai: In a bid to improve Mumbai’s performance in the Central government’s Swachh Survekshan 2025–26, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has appealed to citizens to actively cooperate in maintaining cleanliness across the city.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr Ashwini Joshi urged Mumbaikars to support the civic body by keeping their surroundings clean.

Speaking on behalf of the municipal administration, Dr Joshi also directed various BMC departments—including Solid Waste Management, Storm Water Drains, Sewerage Operations, the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project, and the Education Department—to work in close coordination and implement effective measures for the survey. She instructed officials to collect comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date data required for assessment and reporting.

Dr Joshi was speaking at a review meeting held at the BMC headquarters on February 2 in connection with Swachh Survekshan. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) Kiran Dighavkar and senior officials from multiple departments were present at the meeting.

Swachh Survekshan is conducted annually by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to rank cities based on cleanliness, waste management and citizen participation. This year marks the 10th edition of the survey, which evaluates parameters such as sanitation, waste segregation, collection, transportation and processing.

For Swachh Survekshan 2025–26, the Centre has introduced the central theme “Swachhata ki Nayi Pahal – Badhaye Haath, Kare Safai Saath”. Under this framework, greater importance has been given to citizen feedback and verification related to cleanliness initiatives.

Digital feedback will be collected throughout the year via websites and mobile applications. New standards have been set to curb open defecation and urination, while increased emphasis has been placed on Behaviour Change Programmes in schools. Separate evaluation criteria have also been introduced for coastal cities. In addition, special focus will be given to cleanliness standards at tourist, heritage and religious sites, as well as high-footfall public spaces.

The Solid Waste Management Department has been making continuous efforts to ensure scientific and efficient waste management in Mumbai city and suburbs. To ensure these efforts are properly reflected in the survey, coordinated and result-oriented measures are required, Dr Joshi said.

She stressed the need for coordination among departments such as solid waste management, sewerage operations and projects, the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project, storm water drainage and education. Special emphasis will be placed this year on citizen participation and school-based initiatives to ensure active involvement of residents and students.

Dr Joshi noted that instilling cleanliness habits at a young age leads to long-term and sustainable behavioural change at the societal level, thereby strengthening urban sanitation. She appealed to citizens to prioritise cleanliness and extend full cooperation to the municipal corporation.

Highlighting the importance of public support, Dr Joshi said citizen cooperation and participation in cleanliness drives are crucial. She urged residents to keep their homes, neighbourhoods and public places clean, process waste within housing societies wherever possible, and ensure scientific disposal. Citizens were also encouraged to participate in cleanliness initiatives undertaken by the administration and discourage littering, she added.

Maharashtra

A very rare surgery: Rajawadi Hospital team successfully removes a 5.5 kg, 30 cm tumor from the uterus of a 46-year-old woman

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A 46-year-old woman from Mankhurd, Mumbai, had been suffering from health problems like persistent abdominal swelling, abdominal pain and difficulty in breathing for the past two years. In view of these symptoms, she sought treatment at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the Gynaecology Department at BMC-run Seth Vadelal Chhatrapati Gandhi and Monji Amidas Vora Municipal General Hospital (Rajawadi Hospital) in Ghatkopar. The hospital team successfully removed a tumour weighing around 5.5 kg and measuring 30 cm from the patient’s uterus. As her symptoms worsened significantly, a comprehensive review of her medical history, physical examination and necessary diagnostic tests were conducted. These tests revealed a uterine tumour measuring around 30 cm. Initial diagnosis suggested that the mass was a ‘giant leiomyoma’ (fibroid). All necessary precautions and planning were taken to deal with possible complications during and after the surgery, and the procedure was performed later. Dr. Swadina B. Mohanty, Dr. Shalini Bagaria, Dr. Arva Kamble, and Dr. Kajal Salvi played a key role in the surgery performed by the Gynecology Department. Dr. Shreyash and Dr. Netra, under the guidance of anesthesiologist Dr. Chhavi, managed the anesthesia team. Additionally, surgical staff nurse Neelakshi Guru and her team provided vital support during the surgery. Due to the large size of the tumor and the extensive network of blood vessels, the surgery was performed with utmost care. The 5.5 kg tumor removed during the procedure has been sent for histopathological examination, and the final report is awaited. Post-surgery, the patient received specialized care and was discharged from the hospital on the fifth day in excellent health. Cases of such large uterine tumors are extremely rare.

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Maharashtra

Immediate financial assistance and rehabilitation for the victims of the Bhiwandi Kohinoor building tragedy and strict action against the culprits. Abu Asim Azmi

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Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has written a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, and Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Mukrandji Jadhav, appealing for justice for the victims of the tragic and serious incident of collapse of the four-storey Kohinoor building in Balaji Nagar area of ​​Bhiwandi city. Through the letter, MLA Abu Asim Azmi has put forward important demands and issues, including raising questions about administrative negligence.

The Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation had earlier declared the building ‘extremely dangerous’ and issued a notice. Despite this, the administration failed to take timely and concrete steps to ensure the safe rehabilitation of the residents. Lives were lost due to administrative delay and negligence. Along with immediate assistance to the deceased and injured, he demanded that the government immediately provide financial assistance to the families of the citizens who lost their lives in the accident and ensure that all the injured are provided with the best medical treatment at government expense. Regarding the structural audit of the most dangerous buildings, Azmi said that a ‘structural audit’ of all the dilapidated and most dangerous buildings in Bhiwandi city should be conducted immediately, and arrangements for the temporary and permanent rehabilitation of their residents should be made without delay. Azmi has also demanded strict action against the guilty officials and has said that strict legal and administrative action should be taken against the officials responsible for this major accident and the negligence associated with it. Abu Asim Azmi has appealed to the government to take suo motu notice of the matter and ensure that justice and relief reach the affected families in Bhiwandi as soon as possible.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: BMC takes strict disciplinary action against litterers, removes encroachments and unauthorized constructions, and takes steps to reduce traffic congestion

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Mumbai: On the directions of the Bombay High Court, the Solid Waste Management Department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a more comprehensive and effective sanitation drive across the Mumbai region. Accordingly, extensive measures are being taken to enhance cleanliness, prevent open dumping and permanently eliminate Garbage Vulnerable Places (GVPs) in the city and its suburbs. Special attention is being paid to markets, major roads, footpaths, public places and plots, banks and areas around drains and other water bodies. All GVPs are being monitored by CCTV, and punitive action will be taken against those found littering. Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed all Assistant Commissioners of administrative wards to conduct regular inspections in their respective jurisdictions regarding cleanliness and ensure effective, large-scale cleaning. Immediate action should be taken to remove all encroachments from footpaths in areas around schools, hospitals, railway and metro stations, bus depots and markets, thus ensuring that footpaths are unobstructed and accessible. Unauthorized constructions should be demolished and they should not be regularized under any circumstances. Steps should be taken to remove factors causing traffic congestion on important roads. Ashwini Bhide further directed that complaints regarding potholes received through the municipal corporation’s ‘Marg’ app be resolved on priority basis. Bhide was addressing a review meeting of various departments of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) held at the municipal headquarters today (August 1, 2026), which was held following the orders issued by the High Court. The High Court regarding solid waste management was attended by Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Vermalawangire, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakne, Joint Commissioner (Vigilance) Dr. M. Devendra Singh, and Deputy Commissioner (Municipal Commissioner’s Office) Shri Prashant Gaikwad. Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and heads of departments also attended the meeting. The High Court, noting the significant improvement in odour control at the Kanjarmarg Waste Processing Plant, has appreciated the steps taken by the BMC administration and the concerned contractor. In light of this, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide has directed all Zonal Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and ward-level sanitation staff of the Solid Waste Management Department to focus on ensuring cleanliness across Mumbai and permanently removing garbage-affected areas.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide said that with a view to ensuring cleanliness in the Mumbai area, the BMC Solid Waste Management Department has identified places where garbage accumulates frequently (hotspots). A list of the places, categorized by ward and zone, has been prepared and marked on Google Maps. Each location will now undergo an assessment through a systematic process. Key aspects of the process include identifying the source and type of waste; assessing deficiencies in collection, transportation, manpower, and machinery; engaging with residents, markets, and commercial establishments; implementing public awareness and behavior change measures; conducting CCTV-based surveillance and enforcement; and taking disciplinary action against repeat violators. The campaign will be monitored through ward-wise records, photographic evidence, digital mapping, and regular reviews. Special cleaning and enforcement campaigns will be conducted in markets, major roads and footpaths, as well as in public places, open plots, coastal areas, and areas around drains and other water bodies. Furthermore, Ashwini Bhide said that containment and interception systems will be strengthened at key locations to prevent plastic and solid waste from entering drains, canals, and the sea. Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioners should ensure cleanliness by regularly visiting their respective areas. They should work effectively towards the cleanliness targets by taking local public representatives into confidence. Zonal Deputy Commissioners need to review the cleanliness works weekly and take steps to bring about positive improvements. Since waste accumulated on roadsides during monsoon is a serious threat to public health and safety, such places should be cleaned regularly. Waste should be cleared from these areas immediately, with special emphasis on maintaining constant vigilance. Furthermore, keep a watch on heritage sites, tourist attractions, major public places, and elevated places.

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