BMC Seeks Nod for Rs 14.5 Crore River Trash Trap Contract in Mumbai
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has officially sought approval to award a two-year contract valued at Rs 14.5 crore for the operation and maintenance of trash boom systems positioned across six rivers and nullahs near mangrove belts in the western suburbs of Mumbai. The comprehensive proposal is scheduled to come up for consideration and approval before the civic standing committee on Thursday. The primary objective of maintaining these trash traps is to prevent floating waste from entering the Arabian Sea.
The floating trash boom systems were first installed by the civic body in July 2022. This action was taken following direct orders from the National Green Tribunal, which directed measures to prevent plastic waste from flowing through suburban rivers and drains into fragile mangrove ecosystems and the surrounding sea. Under this system, floating debris carried by water currents is intercepted by the boom structures. The trapped waste is subsequently removed from the water and subjected to scientific disposal processes.
The requirement for a fresh tender arose after the previous maintenance agreement for the trash traps reached its conclusion. According to official details, the previous maintenance contract lapsed on Sept 30, 2025. To keep the waste collection systems functional after the lapse, the municipal corporation continued daily operations through February by utilizing the 4 per cent contingency provision available under the terms of the previous contract.
Following the completion of a competitive tendering process and subsequent negotiations, Virgo Specialties Pvt Ltd emerged as the lowest bidder for the new two-year agreement. The company secured the lowest bid after quoting 1.3 per cent below the initial financial estimate calculated by the civic body for the maintenance work across the designated locations in the western suburbs.
Until the new contract receives final approval from the standing committee, the civic administration has moved to ensure that waste interception remains uninterrupted. To maintain continuous cleaning and waste removal along the six rivers and nullahs, the administration has sought formal permission to execute the ongoing work under the emergency powers vested in the municipal chief.
