May 22, 2025

A recent Praja report highlighted the potential for decentralised waste processing to revolutionize the waste management system in Mumbai, particularly for the BMC. The report revealed that BMC could save a staggering Rs 1,485 crore annually by switching to decentralised waste processing methods. This amount includes the hefty costs associated with transporting waste from the 24 wards to landfills and the operations and maintenance expenses at the Kanjurmarg landfill. In 2024, Mumbai produced an alarming 24.4 lakh metric tonnes of waste, averaging at 6,656 MT a day. One of the major cost contributors identified in the report is the transportation of waste from each ward to the landfills. On average, each ward needs to transport its waste approximately 20km to reach the landfill, incurring a cost of Rs 8 per MT/km. With 24 wards in the picture, the cumulative daily distance covered amounts to 480km. This translates to a daily cost of Rs 3,840 per MT, totaling Rs 2.4 crore daily for the 6,300 MT of waste generated, summing up to Rs 883 crore annually solely for transportation. Moreover, the report shed light on the operations and maintenance cost at the Kanjurmarg landfill, the primary destination for most of the waste. The current O&M cost at this landfill stands at Rs 3,000 per MT. With approximately 5,500 MT of waste received daily, the annual cost for operations and maintenance reaches Rs 602 crore. When combined with the transportation costs, the total expenses come to a staggering Rs 1,485 crore annually. The report emphasized that these costs could be substantially reduced if the waste generated in each ward is managed and treated locally. By adopting decentralised waste processing methods within the wards, Mumbai could not only mitigate the financial burden on BMC but also streamline the waste management process, making it more efficient and sustainable. The implementation of decentralised waste processing systems would not only lead to substantial cost savings for BMC but also contribute to environmental conservation by reducing the carbon footprint associated with waste transportation over long distances. Initiatives promoting localised waste management could potentially transform Mumbai's waste management landscape, offering a more eco-friendly and cost-effective solution to handle the city's mounting waste generation.

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Tags: Decentralised waste processing, Bmc, Mumbai, Landfill,