After failing to convince the 3,374 bulk generators of solid waste in the city to comply with norms on waste disposal, early this week, civic chief Ajoy Mehta directed the Solid Waste Management (SWM) department to initiate strict action against repeated offenders. So instead of coughing up a one-time fine, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will now levy fines that will increase every day until the waste is properly dealt with.

Of the total number of bulk generators (those that generate more than 100 kg waste per day), currently only 1,525 are segregate their solid waste and have set up composting units within their premises to process the food waste they generate. "We have issued notices to bulk generators and have fined them in the past as well. But now we will start imposing daily fines on the repeat offenders till they comply with the norms," said Vishwas Shankarwar, deputy municipal commissioner of the SWM department. He added that they will first issue a notice and after a period of 15 days, start filing cases against the offenders.