Mumbai: Spitting on the streets remains a persistent issue in Mumbai, with recent statistics showing that 44% of fines imposed by Clean-Up Marshals in the past 11 months were for this offense. Over 62,892 citizens were caught spitting, resulting in a fine collection of Rs 1.25 crore.
Meanwhile, the BMC has collected Rs 4.54 crore in fines from 1.40 lakh citizens for violating cleanliness norms between April 4, 2024, and February 18, 2025.
According to data from the BMC, fines totaling Rs 31.34 lakh were collected from the F South ward, which includes parts of Parel and Dadar, Rs 16.03 lakh from the R Central ward, covering parts of Borivali, and Rs 12.70 lakh from the R South ward, which includes parts of Kandivali.
The second-highest amount, Rs 1.40 crore was collected from 14,012 citizens who failed to clean their house premises. Additionally, Rs 65.71 lakh, was collected from 32,857 citizens for throwing garbage on the roads.
In a recent meeting by additional municipal commissioner Dr. Ashwini Joshi, along with officials from the solid waste department, it was also decided to intensify actions against those not segregating wet and dry waste, burning waste in open spaces, improperly disposing of tree leaves, and not properly disposing of biomedical waste. The BMC has also noticed that despite the appointment of 30 Clean-Up Marshals in each administrative ward, only few marshals are operational.
Dr. Joshi has directed that the agency's responsible for Clean-Up Marshals must urgently appoint the approved 30 Marshals in each ward and take strict action against violators. She had also instructed the officials to take immediate action against the agency's facing complaints.
The marshals can impose fines ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 for offenses like littering, illegal garbage dumping, burning waste, spitting, and not cleaning up after pets. Although the scheme began in 2007, it faced several interruptions due to allegations of extortion. The most recent contract ended in 2022, but officials stress that marshals play a vital role in maintaining city cleanliness and preventing public dumping.
