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Offloaded the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (mcgm) recently issued guidelines for proper collection, transportation and disposal of construction and demolition (c & d) waste. Mumbai generates over 2,200 tonnes of c & d debris each day, which is 30-35 per cent of the total daily waste. At present, this responsibility is with mcgm . These guidelines will be in force till detailed bylaws on c & d waste are issued.

mcgm has made the generators of waste responsible for its safe disposal. Waste generators have been classified into four types depending on the amount they generate. Real estate developers, including the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority and the Public Works Department, are first category bulk generators. While applying to the building proposal department of mcgm for clearance of a building, they also need to submit a detailed waste management plan. The building proposal department would forward the plan to mcgm's environment department, which would have to decide on it within a month, failing which the plan will be deemed cleared. No building permission would be granted without a cleared waste management plan. Builders will have to make a c&d waste clearance deposit.

Generators will have to hire agencies authorised by mcgm for collection, transportation and disposal of waste. This would require specifically designed containers, which mcgm will provide initially to approved agencies. The municipality has also listed out disposal sites, which can be used for a tipping fee (Rs 90 to Rs 360 per container), as practiced in the industrialised countries.

For small-scale c&d waste generators, the agency authorised in their zone will have to provide a phone helpline. The agency will have to clear the waste within 24 hours, charging a nominal fee. Violations would result in penalties: Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000.

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