Doing up your Mumbai home? Your construction waste will now be tracked by BMC

The Mumbai civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has introduced an innovative online portal called the Mumbai Debris Control and Tracking System (MDCTS) to monitor construction and demolition (C&D) waste. This new system aims to streamline the process and ensure proper disposal of debris generated during renovations or construction projects. Registration for the system went live on Monday.

The MDCTS applies not only to large construction projects but also to residents undertaking minor repairs or renovations, generating construction debris. Citizens will have to use the designated system to dispose of the debris, rather than leaving it on roads or having it dumped elsewhere. This extends to builders, government agencies, contractors, architects, transporters, commercial entities and stone crushers.

Once registered, waste generators must select an authorized unloading or recycling facility for the debris. Transporters carrying the debris will also be registered, and their vehicles must be equipped with a Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring System (VTMS). This GPS-based system allows the BMC to track the vehicle's movement, ensuring it follows the approved route and reaches the designated destination.

Violations, such as illegal transportation or disposal of construction waste, can result in penalties of up to Rs 25,000 per vehicle. The BMC aims to address the significant gap between construction waste generation, estimated at over 8,000 tonnes per day, and the treatment capacity of only about 1,200 tonnes per day in Dahisar and Shilphata facilities. This shortfall has led to illegal dumping in various locations, causing environmental concerns.