Spitting, Littering and Other Public Nuisances to Cost Citizens Hefty Fines as BMC Tightens Cleanliness Rules
Spitting, Littering and Other Public Nuisances to Cost Citizens Hefty Fines as BMC Tightens Cleanliness Rules ( representative Image )
Mumbai residents will now have to be more careful about everyday habits in public spaces, as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has rolled out a fresh set of penalties under its revised Solid Waste, Cleanliness and Sanitation Bylaws 2025. The new rules aim to improve hygiene standards across the city by imposing fines on activities that contribute to filth and poor waste management.
Under the updated bylaws, spitting in public places will invite a fine of ₹250, while throwing garbage on roads, footpaths, lanes, gardens or any other public area will attract a penalty of ₹500. Littering and unhygienic behaviour, long considered major civic issues in Mumbai, are among the key focus areas of the new enforcement drive.
The civic body has listed 21 different offences under these bylaws. Activities such as feeding animals or birds in public places, washing utensils or clothes in open areas, washing vehicles on public roads, open bathing, urination and defecation are all now punishable with monetary fines. Feeding animals or birds will cost offenders ₹500, while washing utensils or clothes in public spaces will attract a ₹300 penalty. Washing vehicles in public areas will be fined ₹500.
Open bathing in public places will draw a fine of ₹300, while public urination and defecation will each be penalised with ₹500.
Waste segregation has also been made a strict requirement. Individual households that fail to separate wet and dry waste and hand it over in different containers will be fined ₹200 for the first offence. Bulk waste generators will face a higher penalty of ₹1,000 for the same violation. Not handing over dry waste separately will also attract a ₹200 fine.
Street vendors and hawkers have been given clear responsibilities as well. Those operating without garbage bins or failing to segregate waste properly will be fined ₹750. Improper disposal of fish, poultry and meat waste will also lead to a ₹750 penalty.
Construction and demolition waste violations carry some of the heaviest fines under the new rules. Dumping debris at unauthorised or non-designated locations will attract a fine of ₹20,000 per vehicle. Transporting construction or demolition waste without a valid permit will be penalised with ₹25,000 per vehicle. Burning waste in large quantities or for commercial purposes will result in a ₹10,000 fine.
Additional penalties include ₹500 for not keeping one’s premises clean, ₹1,500 for larger premises that fail to maintain cleanliness, ₹200 for improper disposal of garden waste and tree trimmings, ₹500 for not cleaning drains outside houses, and ₹1,000 if pet animals soil public places.
Organisers of public gatherings or events will also be held accountable. Those who fail to restore cleanliness within four hours after an event concludes risk losing their cleanliness deposit, according to the BMC.
BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani said the revised bylaws are intended to strengthen enforcement and ensure more effective solid waste management across Mumbai. The rules are aligned with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and lay down detailed guidelines for waste generation, segregation, storage, collection, transportation and processing in residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and public spaces throughout the city and suburbs.
The bylaws also clearly define the responsibilities of waste generators, service providers, contractors and the civic administration, leaving little room for ambiguity.
