When India’s T20 World Cup-winning team took to the streets of Mumbai on an open bus, Marine Drive transformed into a jubilant sea of blue. Thousands gathered to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes, but the euphoria left a less celebratory mark on the iconic promenade. By the next morning, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was left to clean up an astonishing 11,500 kg (11.5 metric tonnes) of waste.
Fans gathered en masse to celebrate the Indian men’s cricket team’s victory at the T20 World Cup. The open bus parade, which started from the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Nariman Point after 7:30 pm and ended at Wankhede Stadium, drew an enormous crowd. The large gathering left behind heaps of trash, including scattered footwear, water bottles, plastic wrappers, cups, paper, and even clothes along the route.
The BMC deployed at least 100 sanitation workers to clean the area before the arrival of morning joggers. A senior BMC official described the Herculean task, stating, “Due to the large number of people who had arrived in the area, the cleanliness activities were hampered at several intervals. Even then, the drive was completed by 8 am, by which time, we cleared and loaded waste into one compactor, one dumper, and five SCBVs.” The waste largely consisted of fluffy materials which occupy a lot of space but don’t weigh much, making the task more cumbersome.
The civic body said that, along with a large number of food wrappers and water bottles, a huge quantity of shoes and chappals (slippers) were collected during the cleanliness drive. Despite the challenges, the BMC ensured that the filth-laden swathes were cleared even before the morning walkers could hit the promenade on Friday.
In a statement on Twitter, the BMC wrote, “After the grand welcome and once the crowd dispersed, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) conducted a special cleanliness drive throughout the night across the entire Marine Drive area. The area was thoroughly cleaned and made available for Mumbaikars who visit Marine Drive every morning for a walk.”
The BMC also announced that all the solid waste collected during the overnight cleanliness drive would be recycled. “Instead of sending this junk to the dumping ground, all these items will be sent to recycling plants,” the release stated. The waste collected filled two large dumpers and five small closed body vehicles (SCBVs). Each dumper has a capacity of three metric tonnes, while a compactor holds up to six metric tonnes of waste. The SCBVs, each holding 500 kg, transported an assortment of oddities, including shoes and other recyclables. By the time the sun rose on Friday, the waste had been unloaded at the Suraksha Garden.
The monumental cleanup effort was wrapped up by 8 am on Friday, leaving Marine Drive spotless once more. The BMC’s efficiency in handling the aftermath of the parade is commendable, but it also serves as a reminder of the environmental impact of large public gatherings.
While the celebrations were undoubtedly memorable, the mess left behind underscores the need for better waste management practices during large events. Fans might want to remember that while celebrating their team’s victory is important, so is keeping their city clean.
