In Mumbai: 10 days after Bandra fair ends, BMC yet to clean-up waste left behind by stalls
Resident said the garbage stays back every year on the Mt Mary steps, causing a health hazard for the locals
Although Bandra fair came to a close on September 17, residents grew tired of the filthy leftovers of the fair and abandoned parts of the stalls lying around Mt Mary Basilica for another week. Locals said the delay in the civic body’s work had caused the garbage to rot and stink on the Mt Mary steps and in the surrounding areas.
Resident Lillian Pais said the garbage stays back every year, causing a health hazard for the locals. After she filed a petition in 2014, the High Court sent a list of rules to be followed by the authorities, which includes removing all 430 erected stalls and picking up the garbage after the fair ends.
“If the stalls had been dismantled on Monday, the cleaning work would have been finished by now. But, the week-long fair is extended illegally by hawkers to a 9th day,” said residents.
“If the Brihanmumbai Municicpal Corporation (BMC) earns lakhs through licence fee and auctioning of stalls before the fair, why can’t it have a proper garbage disposal system in place?” asked city activist Godfrey Pimenta, who had sent a letter to the BMC regarding the problem.
BMC officials said the cleaning work had started after the fair ended last week but there was more garbage to be picked up on the church’s property.
Corporator Asif Zakaria told HT, “Once all the stalls are dismantled, it is easier to clear the garbage. The work had also been stalled because of the rains.”
According to the BMC, lakhs of visitors attend the fair throughout the 8 days. “We are working on a permanent solution to the issue. A marshal will be appointed during the fair next year for taking action against those littering,” said a solid waste management official.