BMC Standing Committee Approves Citywide Dead Animal Disposal Proposal
On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Standing Committee in Mumbai approved a proposal to appoint contractors with dedicated trolleys for the citywide collection and scientific disposal of dead animals. The initiative aims to improve public health, sanitation, and disease prevention across the city, though it prompted intense debate from corporators over implementation and accountability.
According to the proposal submitted by the civic administration, the timely removal and scientific disposal of dead animals is a statutory responsibility of the BMC. The civic body noted that this vital service helps prevent foul odours, sanitation hazards, and potential disease outbreaks.
The administration highlighted that a pilot project previously undertaken by the BMC had delivered positive results. This pilot improved the overall efficiency of Mumbai's sanitation and public health management, paving the way for the civic body to expand the service across all zones of the city.
Despite the approval, several corporators raised significant concerns during the Standing Committee meeting regarding delays, operational gaps, and the lack of a robust complaint redressal mechanism.
Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) group leader Amey Ghole questioned the absence of clarity on the designated disposal sites and the specific categories of carcasses covered under the service. Ghole also pointed out that civic departments often refuse to respond to complaints about dead rats, claiming such issues do not fall under their jurisdiction.
AIMIM corporator Zameer Qureshi demanded a strict monitoring system to ensure contractors promptly attend to complaints. Qureshi emphasized the need for proper oversight to verify whether every complaint is resolved within the stipulated time.
Congress corporator Tulip Miranda also flagged operational shortcomings, alleging that collection vehicles are often unavailable. Miranda claimed that carcasses are sometimes brought back after disposal is delayed, raising serious questions about contractor accountability.
In response to these concerns, Additional Municipal Commissioner Avinash Dhakane assured the committee that the proposal is aimed at appointing contractors with dedicated trolleys to implement the service effectively across the city.
While officially approving the proposal, Standing Committee Chairman Prabhakar Shinde directed the civic administration to submit a detailed implementation plan, a monitoring mechanism, and a clear grievance redressal process to address the issues raised by the members.
