How E-Rickshaws Are Helping BMC  Clean Mumbai’s  Choked Lanes

By Saumya Singh 16 May 2025

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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is introducing electric rickshaws to tackle waste collection challenges in Mumbai's congested areas like Dharavi, Fort, and Colaba.

Presently, BMC employs mini tempos for such work, but they struggle in Mumbai’s narrow lanes. E-autos are small, quick, and perfect for the tight turns and bustling lanes.

Credits: Revolve Media

Tiny, battery-operated, and eco-friendly, E-autos are designed to make their way through the narrowest lanes.

Six E-rickshaws will hit the roads — three in Ward A — Fort and Colaba, and three in Ward G — Dharavi, Mahim, and Dadar East. It’s a six-month pilot.

Credits: Mirror Now

Each e-rickshaw can carry 350 to 500 kg of waste and will operate in two shifts: 6:30 AM–2:30 PM and 2:30 PM–8:30 PM. This initiative aims to benefit over 60,000 residents across the targeted areas.

Dharavi produces over 300 tonnes of waste daily — a mix of household, industrial, and commercial trash.

Credits: The Hindu

For years, NGOs went door to door collecting waste — but that’s where their role ended. They couldn’t segregate or recycle it, so most of the waste ended up in landfills.

Credits: Revolve Media

Officials have identified 88 locations where garbage accumulates daily. Their goal is simple: to make each one of them waste-free.

Credits: Revolve Media 

BMC is also developing a new app featuring live photos, GPS tracking, and digital proof of clean-ups. Contractors will report in real-time, enhancing transparency and allowing citizens to participate actively.

Credits: Revolve Media