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Mumbai's Seas Choked by 5 Million Kg Plastic Annually
3 Mar
Summary
- Nearly 5 million kg of plastic waste enters the Arabian Sea from Mumbai annually.
- The Ocean Cleanup will deploy trash interceptors at key nallahs before monsoon.
- Mumbai is among 30 global cities responsible for one-third of river plastic pollution.
A recent year-long study by The Ocean Cleanup (TOC) revealed that approximately 5 million kilograms of plastic waste flow into the Arabian Sea annually from around 50 nallahs in Mumbai. The study, conducted from May 2024 to May 2025, pinpointed Thane Creek, Malad Creek, and Vasai Creek as the primary sources of this plastic pollution.
In response to these findings, TOC plans to install specialized trash interceptors at the mouths of key nallahs. Two interceptors are slated for deployment in Trombay and Malad before the upcoming monsoon, with an initial capacity to collect between 61 to 92 tonnes of plastic. Over the next three years, TOC aims to expand this operation to all 50 major nallahs.
Mumbai faces unique challenges due to strong tidal movements, requiring interceptors designed to capture plastic flowing both downstream and upstream. This initiative is part of a global effort, as Mumbai is identified as one of 30 cities contributing a significant portion of the world's river-based plastic pollution. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also implemented trash booms across stormwater drains, which have cumulatively removed substantial amounts of waste.
