The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has registered 107 cases of violations related to the feeding of pigeons at kabutarkhanas across Mumbai. The BMC has collected Rs 55,700 in fines in connection with these violations between July 3 and 12, according to reports from the solid waste management department of the civic body. The highest number of fines has been collected from Dadar, Matunga, Goregaon, Malad, as well as the kabutarkhanas at the General Post Office (GPO) and Gateway of India in South Mumbai.

The state government on July 3 directed the BMC to immediately ensure the feeding of pigeons at public places across the city is stopped in light of health hazards that can lead to respiratory illnesses and several allergies among residents living in the vicinity of kabutarkhanas. Shiv Sena leader and nominated MLC Manisha Kayande had raised the issue in the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Thursday, July 3, stating that kabutarkhanas pose a danger to the people living around them as their waste and feathers lead to respiratory diseases. Subsequently, Uday Samant, minister of higher and technical education, on behalf of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, said that all 51 kabutarkhanas in the city would be banned with immediate effect.