Thane Municipal Corporation launches large-scale ‘deep clean drive’ in Kopri

Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Monday launched a large-scale `deep clean drive` in the Kopri area under its Naupada-Kopri ward.

Locals also turned out in large numbers to lend a helping hand in the special cleanliness drive.

The campaign, led by mayor-designate Sharmila Pimpalolkar, began at 7.30 am from Ashtavinayak Chowk with a cleanliness pledge. 

Pimpalolkar said the initiative, launched with the slogan “Duty first, then charge of office,” would be expanded across Thane city and stressed the need for active public participation.

Several corporators and senior civic officials were present during the drive, including Malti Patil, Namrata Pamnani and Bharat Chavan, along with Additional Commissioners Sandeep Malvi and Prashant Rode. Deputy Commissioners Madhukar Bodke and Deepak Jhinjad, Health Officer Dr Rani Shinde and other senior officials also took part.

The drive covered Kopri village, Kanhaiya Nagar, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk and Bara Bangla. Apart from garbage collection, roads were washed using treated water from sewage treatment plants.

Students and teachers from multiple schools, including People’s Education Society School, Nanik English School, Shri Ma Balniketan, Vidyasagar Education Society and Jeevan Jyoti English Medium School, participated to spread awareness about cleanliness and segregation of wet and dry waste. Officials from departments such as gardens, water supply, encroachment, sewerage and education also joined the initiative.

Students carried placards and raised slogans promoting cleanliness, including “Clean and beautiful Thane, let this be our resolve.”

Civic officials said jetting machines, water tankers, two C and D waste vehicles, JCB dumpers and three 10-tonne RC compactors were deployed for the drive, with around 700 sanitation workers pressed into service.

Aarey tribals flag garbage crisis

Residents of tribal hamlets in Mumbai`s Aarey Milk Colony have stepped up their demand for an effective garbage collection and disposal system. The lack of regular waste management has become a pressing concern, often forcing residents to dump trash outside their settlements. Locals warn that the mounting garbage is increasingly threatening the surrounding forest ecosystem and wildlife.

Tribal leader Prakash Bhoir said there are around 2,700–2,800 voters across 27 tribal hamlets in Aarey Milk Colony, where indigenous residents have lived for generations, yet garbage collection remains neglected.

“The BMC collects waste from slum pockets in Aarey, but our hamlets are ignored. We are appealing to candidates contesting the civic polls to ensure regular garbage collection and proper disposal in tribal areas so that waste is not dumped in the open, which poses a serious threat to wildlife,” Bhoir said.

A site visit by Mid-Day revealed garbage dumped at multiple locations outside the hamlets due to the absence of nearby public dustbins. In contrast, garbage bins have been installed outside slum pockets in Aarey Milk Colony, from where the BMC collects waste daily.

Dilip Jadhav, a resident of Vanichapada, said, “We want the corporator elected from our area to protect the forest from encroachment while ensuring daily garbage collection.” With no proper system in place, some residents are forced to dump waste at common points and later burn it once it accumulates, further contributing to air pollution.