The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in India has taken a unique step towards cleanliness by involving vegetable vendors in its deep cleaning drive. As part of the drive, the BMC asked vegetable vendors in Dadar(West) to use a tarpaulin to prevent mud from falling on the road as they sorted and washed vegetables. Around 60 vendors actively participated in the cleaning exercise, which included brushing, sweeping, scraping, and washing of the roads.
The BMC’s decision to involve vegetable vendors in the cleaning drive is aimed at creating awareness among citizens and various stakeholders. The corporation wants to emphasize that business activities should not cause any nuisance to society or harm the environment. By involving vendors in the activity, the BMC hopes to set an example and encourage others to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.
Irfan Kazi, Assistant Engineer with the BMC’s solid waste management (SWM) department in the G-North ward, expressed his satisfaction with the vendors’ participation. He mentioned that the vendors readily agreed to take part in the cleaning exercise and actively carried out tasks like brushing, sweeping, scraping, and washing of the roads. The BMC provided them with the necessary tools for the task.
One of the challenges faced by the BMC is the mixture of mud and water created by vendors while sorting and washing vegetables on the streets. This results in a grimy layer on the road, affecting cleanliness. Therefore, the use of tarpaulin sheets or gunny bags is essential to prevent such issues. SWM officials have been urging vendors to use these protective measures to ensure that the roads are left clean.
Previously, the BMC had fined eight vendors on the Keshavsut bridge for throwing waste on it. Such vendors are considered a nuisance and their activities obstruct traffic. The BMC officials have urged the police to take action against these vendors.
This initiative by the BMC not only promotes cleanliness but also highlights the importance of collective responsibility towards maintaining a clean and sustainable environment. The involvement of vegetable vendors in the deep cleaning drive sets an example for other businesses and citizens to actively contribute to the cleanliness and well-being of their surroundings.
