The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) cleared 118.5 tonnes of debris from the Eastern and Western Express Highways over the past three nights under a special drive. Activists, meanwhile, alleged that it was because of the civic body’s lack of vigilance that the debris ended up on these stretches in the first place.

According to a BMC official, under this programme, which was launched this week, the civic body also got rid of 37 tonnes of solid waste, apart from the debris. “As part of this initiative, service roads, ramps and surrounding areas of the highways are being cleaned. Mechanical sweeping machines are being used for dust removal, along with water jet machines and pressure washers for thorough cleaning,” said the official.