The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) picked up over 101 tonnes of waste from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Azad Maidan, and surrounding areas between Friday,  August 29, when the Maratha agitation began in South Mumbai, and the first half of Tuesday, September 2. No more than five to six tonnes of trash are typically generated in these spots, according to officials. About 60 tonnes in total were collected on August 31 and September 1 alone, while on Tuesday, 30 tonnes of litter were picked up within the first half of the day, right before the protesters began celebrating their win. The refuse is largely wet waste, and all of it is being carried to material recovery facilities in Kanjurmarg.

BMC works spray Mahapalika Marg, near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, on Tuesday

“For the first time, we had to use jet-pressure sprays to thoroughly wash the roads,” said Kiran Dighavkar, deputy municipal commissioner of the civic body’s solid waste management department. “The wet waste largely consisted of food and banana peels, which is why we have had to use these sprays to rid the road of foul odours,” he added. The civic body has also been making use of Izole powder to ensure disinfection occurs.