Mumbai Cracks Down on Open Waste Burning with ₹1,000 Fine from April 1

Mumbai, India:  In a bid to curb pollution and improve air quality, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will enforce a strict fine ranging from ₹100 to ₹1,000 for open waste burning in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) starting April 1, 2025.

Under the Brihanmumbai Sanitation and Health Bye-Laws, 2006, a ward-level enforcement team, including officials from the Solid Waste Management Department, will monitor violations and impose on-the-spot fines. Previously, a mere ₹100 penalty failed to deter offenders, leading to widespread burning of dry leaves, construction debris, and mixed waste.

According to Deputy Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) Kiran Dighavkar, the crackdown aims to address the toxic emissions and respiratory health risks associated with open burning. The initiative follows the directives of Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr. Ashwini Joshi.

With rising pollution concerns in Mumbai, this move is expected to promote cleaner waste disposal practices and discourage hazardous environmental violations.