Mumbai: The BMC standing committee chairman Prabhakar Shinde has proposed the formation of an environment committee on the lines of others in the civic body such as the education committee. Shinde, who sought the formation of the committee in his budget speech in the civic general body, said the city is affected by pollution and there is a need for public representatives to oversee and monitor the implementation of various mitigation measures by the civic environment department.“While the city faces environmental challenges, the civic environment department takes care of these issues and also implements various mitigation measures for the same. However, there are many issues, which are contributing to air pollution such as the disposal of construction debris. Not enough measures or precautions are being taken by the civic administration regarding the same. Therefore, a formal oversight on the working of the environment department by public representatives would help. Besides, corporators work on the ground and they are able to point out the problems on the ground or even suggest solutions to the administration. Therefore, we are proposing the formation of a committee for the environment,” Shinde said.Earlier, city BJP president Ameet Satam had written to mayor Ritu Tawde and BMC commissioner Ashwini Bhide, calling for an urgent overhaul of the city’s debris management system. Satam pointed out that the city generates nearly 8,000 metric tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste daily and despite regulations requiring developers to submit debris disposal plans while seeking permissions, enforcement remains weak, resulting in illegal dumping of debris. Debris meant for designated sites is often dumped in nullahs, mangroves, creeks, wetlands, and forest areas, and is also used for filling open land for encroachment, said Satam.
