Mumbai News: BMC Deploys Unmanned Electric Boats To Clean Floating Waste At Gateway Of India, Budhwar Park

Mumbai: In a bid to enhance coastal cleanliness, the BMC is deploying two electric unmanned boats for the mechanical removal of floating waste near the Gateway of India and Budhwar Park in Cuffe Parade. This initiative aims to keep key tourist spots clean, improve water quality, safeguard marine life, reduce public health risks, and support the local fishing industry.

Rising marine pollution has severely degraded water quality and damaged marine life along Mumbai’s coastline. Floating waste often carries bacteria, viruses, and other harmful germs, making the water unsafe for both humans and aquatic ecosystems.

To address this, the BMC is deploying unmanned electric boats, an eco-friendly and efficient solution for cleaning floating waste from the sea. "We will be conducting a trial of the boat that has arrived at Budhwar Park, and it will be commissioned next week. The second boat, meant for deployment at the Gateway of India, is expected to arrive soon," said a senior civic official.

"These advanced boats, each costing Rs.1.2 crore, will be remotely operated and deployed during high tide to ensure maximum waste collection. Built to withstand harsh marine conditions, each 4-meter-long boat features a rugged frame and is equipped with a conveyor belt system capable of collecting up to 1,200 kg of floating waste per cycle," he added.

Designed with cutting-edge technology, the boats include cameras, an AI-powered dashboard, solar charging capabilities, and a self-docking system with magnetic locks to remain stable during tidal shifts. Each boat can operate continuously for up to eight hours, making them a sustainable and efficient solution to tackle coastal pollution.

Between June 20 and 27, approximately 279 metric tonnes of waste were collected from Girgaum and Dadar Chowpatty due to consecutive days of high tides during the monsoon. During this period, sea waves were expected to rise above 4.5 metres, pushing large amounts of garbage from the sea onto the roads and shorelines.

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