Parle’s problems with garbage collection

Kachra- Kundi

The (very) old method of garbage disposal in Vile Parle East was through ‘kachra-kundi’ system. In this Parlekars would dump all their waste in a corner of their property. The dump was accessible to the outside through a small window in the compound wall and was surrounded by a short wall forming ‘kachra-kundi’. The garbage collector would empty this dump. Houses never had a dust-bin, as everything was periodically carried to the dump.  This system was okay when each property had few people and garbage generated was not much. But in the last several years this system has been stopped in favour of door-to-door collection of garbage. Kachra-kundis are still seen in some areas; I am not sure municipality has allowed it continued use.  (Need to check this)

Opening of kachra kundi

Now Parlekars put out their unsegregated garbage outside the door, from where it is collected by building cleaning staff. They convey it to society gates and the MCGM- appointed dumper collects the waste. I think all this waste goes to the landfill somewhere. (need to check all this). It is possible for some Parlekars to believe that the problem of garbage ends here. But that is not so.

 Firstly, many Parlekars are unable to get their garbage together before the cleaning staff comes to the door. On Sundays particularly- Parlekars wake up late by which time the collector is gone- and as it is ‘weekly cleaning day’ for many- they put out their garbage later. Some are brazen enough to fling it outside the window. I have been hit by one such projectile emerging from 2^nd floor of Dhotre-niwas on Tilak Mandir Road about 7 years ago. And one more emerging from a Bungalow on Ram Mandir Road, which is now re developed to form the ‘Sapphire’ building. So some Parlekars cannot seem to decide how to deal with their garbage after the cleaning staff and dumper have gone.

The opposite problem happens with Lokmanya Seva Sangh. Their cleaning is done much before the dumper arrives- so their staff leave all garbage bins, full to the brim, on the street behind their property. By the time the dumper arrives all manner of crows, insects, dogs, cats, rats and rag-pickers have gone through the garbage and spread it everywhere- A huge nuisance for neighbours and garbage collecting staff.

Bins on Tilak Mandir Road

Most streets in Parle East are quite narrow.  Many large cars are parked on the roads. I see that very large dumpers are sent for waste collection (Need to check why, smaller ones are available).  To avoid the dumper from scratching the cars, they are parked astride the already narrow footpaths. So now there is no place for the pedestrians to walk, particularly when the streets are full of traffic. And dumpers on the road cause traffic jams. They also drop garbage on the road while they move. Dumpers are also reported to be involved in major accidents- though nothing has yet been reported from Parle. Dumpers going around the serene streets of Parle cause air pollution due to the noise and smoke.

Cars on footpath

Garbage fallen off dumper

Traffic jam due to dumper 

Traffic jam due to dumper 1

So is it really that Parlekars problem with garbage has been solved with door-to-door collection and landfill tipping? Is it not important that garbage is still lying around, flung out of windows, encouraging vermin? And is it okay to allow a large dumper to occupy the street for a good part of everyday? Well, well……….