Mumbai's civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has proposed new sanitation and health bylaws for 2025, increasing fines for various civic violations in Mumbai. In it's draft, the BMC has proposed to increase penalty for littering and public urination from ₹200 to ₹500. It has also proposed to double the fine for not cleaning up after pets, increasing it from ₹500 to ₹1,000.
Pay For Waste Management
The BMC is not only increasing penalties and fines. It also plans to introduce a monthly user fee for solid waste management. Residential properties up to 500 square feet are proposed to be charged ₹100 per month, while larger homes between 500 and 1,000 square feet will have to pay ₹200, once the new rules kick in. Commercial spaces, such as malls and multiplexes, will face fees up to ₹7,500 monthly. The BMC estimates this initiative will generate ₹687 crore annually, which will be used to improve waste management infrastructure and services in Mumbai.
Public feedback open until May 31
These proposals are part of the BMC’s draft bylaws, released for public review. Citizens can submit their feedback on the proposed changes until May 31, 2025. The BMC has encouraged residents to participate in the consultation process to ensure the bylaws reflect community needs while addressing sanitation challenges.
Addressing sanitation and financial challenges
The increased fines and new fees come as the BMC intensifies efforts to manage Mumbai’s growing waste and public health issues. The civic body has faced criticism in the past for inconsistent enforcement of sanitation rules. With the proposed bylaws, the BMC aims to create a more structured approach to maintaining cleanliness and holding violators accountable.
The ₹687 crore revenue expected from the waste management fees will support garbage collection, segregation, and disposal systems. The final bylaws will be implemented after considering public feedback, with the BMC aiming to roll out the changes later in 2025.
