The phased deployment is scheduled for 2026, with the first systems arriving before the monsoon.

Stopping the Leak: Mumbai to Launch Phased Battle Against 5 Million KG of Annual Plastic Waste

Mumbai is set to become a primary battleground in the global fight against marine pollution, with the phased installation of specialised barriers designed to intercept plastic waste before it reaches the Arabian Sea. Led by the Netherlands-based non-profit The Ocean Cleanup, in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the initiative aims to recover at least 61 tonnes of plastic annually from the city's Trombay and Malad waterways.

The phased deployment is scheduled for 2026, with the first systems arriving before the monsoon. Research indicates that Mumbai releases approximately 5 million kilograms of plastic into the ocean each year, damaging 220 km of coastline and threatening 1.9 million livelihoods.

"Authorities attribute the surge in plastic pollution to a combination of industrial effluents, urban runoff and systemic failures in waste collection."

Data from the non-profit indicates that a mere 0.03% of the world's rivers, roughly 1,000 out of 3 million, generate nearly 80% of all plastic flowing into our oceans.

The project is part of a global "30 Cities Programme" targeting the world’s most polluted urban waterways. By focusing on urban runoff and industrial discharge, the project seeks to "shut off the tap" of plastic pollution. Officials emphasise that stopping waste at these critical intervention points is essential for safeguarding marine ecosystems and coastal biodiversity.

Source: The Tribune