BMC Approves ₹14.5 Crore Contract to Strengthen Mumbai’s River Waste Cleanup Efforts

Floating Trash Barriers Across Six Rivers to Help Reduce Plastic Pollution Before It Reaches the Arabian Sea

Mumbai’s civic body has approved a ₹14.5 crore contract to continue operating and maintaining floating trash barrier systems across six rivers and major drainage channels. The two-year project is aimed at stopping plastic waste and floating debris before it reaches the city’s mangroves and the Arabian Sea, helping protect Mumbai’s coastal environment.

BMC Extends Marine Pollution Control Program

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken another step toward improving environmental protection by approving a new two-year maintenance contract for trash boom systems installed near mangrove areas in Mumbai’s western suburbs.

These floating barriers are designed to capture plastic bottles, packaging, and other floating waste carried through rivers and stormwater drains before the debris reaches the sea. The project is expected to strengthen the city’s long-term efforts to reduce marine pollution and protect sensitive coastal ecosystems.

Trash Boom Systems Installed Following NGT Directions

The trash boom systems were first installed in July 2022 after directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The barriers act as floating collection points, preventing waste from flowing into mangrove forests and the Arabian Sea.

Once the waste is collected, it is regularly removed and scientifically processed to ensure safe disposal, reducing the environmental impact on Mumbai’s waterways.

New Maintenance Contract Worth ₹14.5 Crore Approved

The earlier maintenance agreement ended on September 30, 2025. To avoid interruptions in waste collection, the BMC continued operating the systems using the contract’s contingency provision while a new tender process was completed.

After competitive bidding and negotiations, Virgo Specialties Pvt. Ltd. secured the contract by submitting the lowest bid, offering a price 1.3% below the civic body's estimated project cost.

Emergency Measures Ensured Continuous Operations

Before the new agreement was finalized, the BMC continued operating the trash boom systems under the Municipal Commissioner’s emergency powers. This temporary arrangement ensured that floating waste continued to be intercepted without interruption, preventing plastic and other debris from entering the Arabian Sea.

Project Supports Cleaner Rivers and Coastal Ecosystems

The continued maintenance of these trash boom systems is expected to improve waste management across Mumbai’s waterways while protecting mangroves, marine biodiversity, and coastal habitats. By stopping floating garbage before it reaches the sea, the project also supports cleaner beaches and contributes to the city’s broader environmental sustainability goals.