Mumbai: BMC Installs First AI-Powered CCTV Camera In Mahim To Catch Litterers, Plans Coverage Across 283 Garbage Hotspots | VIDEO

Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has unveiled its first AI-powered CCTV camera at Gajanan Vatika, situated on Dr R. R. Marg in Mahim. This strategic placement is aimed at curbing illegal dumping, which has been identified as a critical issue in the region. The AI camera is linked to loudspeakers and can detect movement, promptly issuing an audio message to deter littering and promote cleanliness in the vicinity.

The initiative is part of the BMC's broader 'G/North' Ward office campaign to combat garbage accumulation at designated garbage-vulnerable points (GVPs). The AI camera is equipped to capture the faces of violators and transmit video evidence to the solid waste management department at the ward level for further action. In addition to the Rs 500 fine for littering, the new framework also imposes a Rs 20,000 penalty per vehicle for dumping garbage in unauthorized locations.

The BMC plans to extend this AI-powered CCTV system to cover all 283 GVPs across Mumbai, with a dedicated budget of Rs 30 per ward allocated for this purpose. This development aligns with recent directives from the Bombay High Court, which emphasized the need for a comprehensive ward-wise cleanliness framework and stern action against the ongoing garbage accumulation issue.

Local resident Chetan Kamble, who has been advocating for the installation of more AI cameras, highlighted the significant waste generation in G-North and South wards. These areas, which include major markets like Dadar and Mahim, generate approximately 788 metric tonnes of waste daily, accounting for nearly 10% of Mumbai's daily waste production. Kamble emphasized the necessity of a technology-driven and enforcement-focused approach to effectively manage Mumbai's waste and maintain public hygiene.