BMC General Body Unanimously Clears Motion for Dedicated Coastal Committee
In a unanimous cross-party move, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) General Body on Friday passed a Notice of Motion to set up a dedicated Coastal Committee to tackle marine pollution, protect local Koliwadas, and preserve marine biodiversity across Mumbai's shoreline, including Dadar Chowpatty.
The motion was introduced amid rising concerns that Mumbai’s coastline is choking under untreated sewage, plastic pollution, waste, and encroachments, which continue to threaten marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of traditional fishing communities.
BJP corporator Yogita Koli, who moved the motion, stated that the proposed Coastal Committee should oversee marine pollution control, beach cleanliness and beautification, marine biodiversity conservation, and the upgrading of Koliwada infrastructure. She added that the committee should also focus on sustainable coastal tourism while actively preventing encroachments and environmental degradation.
During the discussion, former Mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Vishakha Raut drew attention to the condition of Dadar Chowpatty, flagging the heavy flow of waste entering the beach from the Mithi River. Raut demanded the installation of a trash boom to intercept floating garbage before it reaches the open sea.
Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Ankit Prabhu suggested that the BMC study coastal management models adopted by other cities and incorporate their best practices into Mumbai's coastal framework. His party colleague Chintamani Nivate alleged that waste cleared from Juhu beach was being dumped at Khar Danda, turning the area into a dumping ground, and demanded an immediate clean-up.
Corporators also pressed for regular cleaning drives at Madh, Aksa, and other beaches across the city. They highlighted the direct impact of marine pollution on fishermen, noting that garbage is increasingly found mixed with fish in daily catches, damaging the marine ecosystem and hurting the local fishing economy.
Following its unanimous passage in the General Body, the motion has been forwarded to the BMC administration for consideration.
