BMC Approves ₹14.5-Crore Contract For Trash Boom Systems

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved a ₹14.5-crore contract for the operation and maintenance of trash boom systems across six rivers and nullahs in the western suburbs of Mumbai.

The contract, which will be in effect for two years, aims to strengthen the city's fight against marine pollution by intercepting floating waste before it enters the Arabian Sea. The trash boom systems, which were commissioned in July 2022, are designed to trap plastic and other debris carried by rivers and stormwater drains, thereby preventing pollution of mangrove ecosystems and coastal waters.

The BMC's Standing Committee approved the contract on Thursday, following a competitive bidding process in which M/s Virgo Specialties Pvt Ltd emerged as the lowest bidder. The company quoted 1.3 per cent below the BMC's estimated cost after negotiations.

The previous maintenance contract for the trash boom systems had expired on September 30, 2025. However, the BMC continued to operate the systems by invoking the contract's 4 per cent contingency provision to avoid any disruption in waste interception.

The civic administration had sought approval to continue operating the trash boom systems under the Municipal Commissioner's emergency powers, pending the formal execution of the new contract. This was done to ensure uninterrupted waste interception and prevent floating debris from entering the Arabian Sea.

The trash boom systems are an important part of Mumbai's efforts to reduce marine pollution. The systems are designed to collect waste periodically, which is then disposed of through scientific methods. The BMC's decision to approve the new contract will help to ensure the continued operation of these systems and support the city's goal of reducing marine pollution.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed the BMC to install the trash boom systems in 2022. Since then, the systems have been playing a crucial role in preventing pollution of the city's waterways and coastal areas.

The approval of the new contract is a significant step forward in Mumbai's fight against marine pollution. The city's waterways and coastal areas are vulnerable to pollution, and the trash boom systems are an important part of efforts to protect them.

The BMC's decision to approve the contract will help to ensure the continued operation of the trash boom systems and support the city's goal of reducing marine pollution. The contract is expected to have a positive impact on the city's environment and will help to protect the city's waterways and coastal areas from pollution.

In conclusion, the BMC's approval of the ₹14.5-crore contract for the operation and maintenance of trash boom systems is a significant step forward in Mumbai's fight against marine pollution. The contract will help to ensure the continued operation of the systems and support the city's goal of reducing marine pollution, thereby protecting the city's waterways and coastal areas from pollution.