Plant Bamboo at Garbage Depot to Create Green Forest Zone: Deputy CM Eknath Shinde

Meeting Held on Kanjurmarg Garbage Depot

Mumbai, April 2026 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed officials to undertake large-scale bamboo plantation at the Kanjurmarg garbage depot to develop a green forest zone and help curb foul odour affecting nearby residents.

He emphasised that measures to control the stench must be implemented more effectively, including increasing deodorising spray and ensuring proper monitoring. He also instructed that waste processing activities generating strong odours should be shifted to areas located farther away from residential zones. Additionally, he called for strict compliance with the directives issued by the High Court in this regard.

The directions were issued during a meeting held at the Mantralaya, attended by Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Chief Secretary to the Deputy CM Aseem Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary Naveen Sona, Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department Dr Govindraj, Additional Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai Vipin Sharma, Principal Secretary of the Environment Department Jayshree Bhoj, and Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao. Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and other civic commissioners from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region participated via video conferencing.

Officials informed the meeting that approximately 6,200 tonnes of waste are processed daily at the Kanjurmarg municipal facility. The waste is handled through three methods: landfilling, compost production, and segregation. So far, nearly 190 million metric tonnes of waste have been processed at the site.

To tackle odour issues, measures such as bio-enzyme spraying, soil layering, landfill gas management systems, and misting processes are currently being implemented. Deputy CM Shinde stressed that these measures must be intensified to ensure that residents do not suffer due to foul smell.

He further directed that extensive bamboo plantation should be undertaken to create a dense green cover in the area, which would act as a natural barrier against odour.

Shinde also highlighted the need for long-term solutions, instructing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to expedite the waste-to-energy project after completing necessary technical evaluations.

He added that activities like composting and RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) processing, which generate strong odours, should not be carried out within 500 metres of residential areas. Instead, such operations must be relocated beyond this distance to safeguard public health and improve living conditions for nearby citizens.